Putting the garden to bed for the winter is mostly a matter of cleaning up and covering up. As fall progresses and temperatures drop, those plants that aren't killed outright by frost prepare for dormancy. Clear out the blackened stems and foliage of annual flowers and vegetables to prevent the possibility of their harboring disease pathogens and insect eggs over the winter. The cool weather is a good time to make a cold frame, dig and box in raised beds, and make general repairs.
One of the most important winter care tips for plants is to clean and cover up your garden. Frost and snow fall can be other enemies for your plants during winter. If you want to see your plants healthy and happy during winter, you need to plan ahead. Initially, you should clear out the unhealthy and blackened stems from the foliage.
Use The Elements
Just because winter brings ice, cold and snow, it does not mean you can’t use it to your advantage. Snow can actually protect your plants. A good amount of snow cover can act as an insulator, similar to mulch. But it can damage and break plants if you have too much. Be sure to monitor the conditions and act accordingly.
Prepare Your Perennials
Perennials need a lot of attention before the first snowfall. To start, clean up the area around these plants to get rid of debris. This will allow more air flow to the plants during the winter months. After the first frost, place a 6 inch layer of mulch around your garden. This will help keep rodents out while insulating the plant life. You can also use pine needles and chopped leaves if you do not have mulch available. Be sure to collect seeds of your favorite plants so you have a full stash to plant in the spring, and move the delicate plants indoors.
Water Thoroughly
Winter is a dry season. Think how it works on your skin. In the same way, it can make the soil dry and unsuitable for plants. Therefore, you must water your plants at regular intervals, so that the moisture retains in the loam.
Mulch
Mulching around plants keeps in heat and will restore nutrients as temperatures drops. The best time to mulch is after the ground starts to freeze, but before the first big snowfall of the season. Three to four inches of mulch will be sufficient to keep plants healthy, though if you live in a colder or windier area, you may want to consider putting down a thicker layer.
Leaf Smarts
Here’s a tip when it comes to raking leaves: leave some leaf debris in your garden to blanket soil during the colder months. Just be sure to clean up come springtime so that your flowers can grow normally. Additionally, be mindful of the mold that can grow on the underside of leaves. You might want to wear a facemask to prevent allergies from acting up.
Keep your Plants Warm
Roses, grape vines and fruit trees all need a little extra love in the cold. Cone covers, plastic covers and tarps are all great ways to keep these plants warm in inclement weather. Adding some holiday lights will also save your favorite perennials from frost damage and keep them festive!
One of the most important winter care tips for plants is to clean and cover up your garden. Frost and snow fall can be other enemies for your plants during winter. If you want to see your plants healthy and happy during winter, you need to plan ahead. Initially, you should clear out the unhealthy and blackened stems from the foliage.
Use The Elements
Just because winter brings ice, cold and snow, it does not mean you can’t use it to your advantage. Snow can actually protect your plants. A good amount of snow cover can act as an insulator, similar to mulch. But it can damage and break plants if you have too much. Be sure to monitor the conditions and act accordingly.
Prepare Your Perennials
Perennials need a lot of attention before the first snowfall. To start, clean up the area around these plants to get rid of debris. This will allow more air flow to the plants during the winter months. After the first frost, place a 6 inch layer of mulch around your garden. This will help keep rodents out while insulating the plant life. You can also use pine needles and chopped leaves if you do not have mulch available. Be sure to collect seeds of your favorite plants so you have a full stash to plant in the spring, and move the delicate plants indoors.
Water Thoroughly
Winter is a dry season. Think how it works on your skin. In the same way, it can make the soil dry and unsuitable for plants. Therefore, you must water your plants at regular intervals, so that the moisture retains in the loam.
Mulch
Mulching around plants keeps in heat and will restore nutrients as temperatures drops. The best time to mulch is after the ground starts to freeze, but before the first big snowfall of the season. Three to four inches of mulch will be sufficient to keep plants healthy, though if you live in a colder or windier area, you may want to consider putting down a thicker layer.
Leaf Smarts
Here’s a tip when it comes to raking leaves: leave some leaf debris in your garden to blanket soil during the colder months. Just be sure to clean up come springtime so that your flowers can grow normally. Additionally, be mindful of the mold that can grow on the underside of leaves. You might want to wear a facemask to prevent allergies from acting up.
Keep your Plants Warm
Roses, grape vines and fruit trees all need a little extra love in the cold. Cone covers, plastic covers and tarps are all great ways to keep these plants warm in inclement weather. Adding some holiday lights will also save your favorite perennials from frost damage and keep them festive!
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