During the cold winter months, you may have to use special care for your outdoor plants. Plants have graced your lawn all season with lovely foliage and now winter is upon them. There are ways to save your beautiful plants from suffering the wrath of winter’s cold. If you have roses and other flowers, you want to protect from the cold a few tips will help you take care of them. Most people cannot afford a professional gardener but winter preparation with simple tips improves plant growth in the spring.
- A first choice is to avoid drowning them in loving water. When the ground is cold, nothing wants water. It is OK if the soil is dry, particularly in a hard freeze. Nature has its own way to keep plants moist when weather is cold. Use only a little water when weather is cold but on average keep the soil dry.
- To save your plants and the looks of your property pick plants considered easy survivors in the climate you live in. This is a sure way to help your plants to survive a cold winter. Some areas may only have a few days of severe cold and others are cold for months on end. Your local garden center can help you choose hearty plants for your outdoor garden.
- Many people use covers to protect their plants. A tarp is fine but in less severe climates gardeners use regular plastic. If you are a serious gardener, you might consider a small greenhouse cover for your plants. Covered plants need air circulation even though they are covered for the season so pull back the covering and allow plants to breathe. Whatever you decide to use, shelter is important.
- When planting your garden, place plants with less of a chance for surviving the cold in a spot that protects them from wind and direct temperatures. Wrap your outside plants in loving care. Sections of your property feel cold strongly during the winter. Every home has a side where wind and cold are more severe, plant tougher plants in places the worst weather.
- Mulch is an easy answer especially in climate that has mild winters. This material shelters the root structure of the plant. Spread mulch throughout your garden protecting plants. If you decide to bring plants inside check them for bugs. These pests can destroy your healthy plants.
Plants create a lovely backdrop for your home. In winter if plants are not cared for your hard work and your plants may be lost. Carefully put your plants to bed for the season with protective measures. If necessary, bring plants inside to shelter them from the weather. Gardening products are easily found to help you prepare plants for the cold season. Even the toughest plants need some care. The healthier the soil your plants are growing in the better the chance of survival. Stop fretting over what to do about your outdoor flowers. At the end of the winter, you will still have lovely flowers left.
Ken Uhrich likes houses. In fact he lives in one. You can drop him a line at the Custom Home Group website.
