As temperatures drop and the days get shorter, it’s important to start thinking about protecting your plants from the cold weather. With a little preparation, you can help your plants survive the winter and come back strong in the spring.
Here are five tips to help you take care of your landscape in winter.
Choose Plants That Do Well In Your Area’s Hardiness Zone
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your plants for winter is to choose species that are well-suited to your area’s hardiness zone. By choosing plants native to your area or tested and shown to do well in your specific hardiness zone, you can dramatically increase their chances of surviving the winter. You can also ask landscape gardeners in Cheshire for advice on which plants ar compatible to your area.
Move Container Plants Indoors
Container plants should be moved indoors before the cold weather arrives. This will help protect them from frost and temperatures too low to survive. Check your plants for pests before bringing them inside, as you don’t want any unwanted visitors coming in with the plants. You’ll also want to ensure they have enough room and light in your home, so consider how much space you have available before taking this step.
Install Mulch
Mulch Is a layer of material, usually organic matter like bark chips, straw, or leaves, that you spread around your plants. Mulch helps insulate the ground and keeps roots warm, making it an essential part of winterising your landscape. It also helps prevent frost heave, a process whereby freezing and thawing cycles cause soil to rise and break apart, potentially damaging or even killing delicate roots.
Insulate Trees and Shrubs
Trees and shrubs are especially vulnerable to cold weather, so it’s important to take steps to protect them. The best way to do this is by insulating them with burlap or a similar material. Then, wrap shrubs in the material, ensuring no parts are exposed. This will help prevent frost damage during winter storms.
Do Not Stop Watering Just Because It’s Cold Outside
It’s easy to assume that because plants are dormant in the winter, they don’t need as much water as they do during other times of the year. However, this is not always the case. If you live in an area with freezing winters, it’s especially important to continue watering any evergreens or other plants that retain their leaves throughout the season. These plants will lose moisture faster than deciduous plants because they cannot take advantage of rainfall as readily.
Final Thoughts
Following these simple tips can help your landscape survive even the harshest winters. With a little care and attention, your landscape will be ready to thrive come springtime. Don’t forget to ask the experts for advice if you have any questions. Landscape gardeners can provide invaluable guidance on preparing your plants for winter and ensure a successful growing season ahead. So, take the time now to ensure that your landscape is well prepared. It will pay off when spring comes around.
