Effective Strategies for Winter Plant Protection
Winter is almost here․ The air gets crisper and the days get shorter and it's a time when things can look quite beautiful‚ but be very harsh on you or your plants․ While snowflakes can be attractive‚ they often arrive with frost and sub-zero temperatures․ There are measures that can be taken to protect our plants and trees against the freezing winter weather so that they will survive until spring․ Whether it's through the planning we do throughout the autumn‚ the types of plants we choose‚ or protecting what we put into our gardens‚ we can greatly improve the chances of our gardens coming to life in the spring․
The first step in winterizing plants is to select varieties that are hardy for the climate zone and specific growing conditions where the plants will be growing․ Extremely hardy plants are very frost tolerant․ Other plants‚ while hardy in other parts of the world‚ will suffer damage in the same growing conditions․ Native plants and other cold-hardy plants can also help to create a frozen garden․ Perennials like coneflowers‚ ornamental grasses‚ and certain sedum cultivars can also be utilized to create a winter garden and give the garden an aesthetic appearance even in the winter months․ Many of these varieties are not only tolerant of cold weather‚ but also add interest to a winter garden by virtue of their different colors‚ textures‚ and shapes․
Mulch Can Act as an Insulator During Winter Freeze
While the right plants can help avoid plant damage‚ mulching techniques may be necessary to keep soil or root temperatures above freezing․ Mulch can act as an insulator between the soil and the cold winter air․ Organic mulches (for example straw‚ shredded leaves and wood chips) may be used to retain soil moisture and provide nutrients as they decay․ A mulch may be applied to the ground before frost․ The mulch will eventually protect plant roots from sudden temperature changes‚ and prevent soil from freezing and drying out in winter․ This easy strategy guarantees that plants will stay healthy‚ and that they will be able to wake up again in the spring․
A third way to protect sensitive plants is to use row covers‚ which are made of lightweight fabrics spread over individual plants or a growing area․ These covers provide protection from frost‚ while trapping air underneath them․ Row covers can also be used for seedlings or for new transplants that have not developed a strong root system‚ but should be used in a way that they do not touch the foliage of the plants‚ yet are not likely to blow away in strong winter winds․ When properly used and cared for‚ they can help extend the growing season‚ or protect plants from frost and severe weather․
Plant dormancy occurs in several stages throughout the year․ This is an important season for gardeners to prepare their plants for the harsh winter months ahead them․ Most plant species also go through a winter dormancy‚ a strategy for surviving the winter without expending any energy or nutrient reserves․ This can vary from species to species‚ and the gardener needs to know how to deal with dormant plants and when to mulch or row cover them․ For example‚ the grower needs to know when a plant has gone dormant and when it is most vulnerable to frost damage․ Mistakes can lead to excessive stress on the plant or inadequate protection when the plant is most vulnerable․
Do Not Water Too Close to the Freeze
A watering strategy that is not commonly considered is to sufficiently water a plant before a freeze event․ If plants are well hydrated before freezing weather‚ this will considerably increase their chance of survival․ Keeping the soil moist adds more thermal mass‚ which prevents the rapid cooling and freezing of the root zone․ Deep watering just a few days before the first freeze prepares the plants to have a good water supply in the winter․ As previously mentioned‚ don't water too close to the freeze for this reason; wetness and cold together will cause frost to form and cause frost damage․ The timing may be more important at night․
In summary‚ there are some steps that can be taken to winterize plants to help prevent frost damage․ These involve choosing the right plants for the area‚ using mulches‚ awnings and covers‚ understanding the dormancy phases of plants and making sure that the soil of the area has sufficient moisture․ Winter preparation will not only help protect your garden through the winter period‚ but will also set the foundation for the flowers and plants to flourish in the spring․ Adhering to these few and simple guidelines will allow you to enjoy your winter flowers‚ while nurturing the growth you can expect during the warmer months․
