Winter is a time for most plants to rest and restore themselves after a long, busy summer. It’s during this time that growth stops, nutrients are stored and the plant prepares itself to bud in the spring. In warmer locales, however, this is not always the case and some plants thrive year-round while others are at their best during the winter months. In any case, it’s important to provide the proper care so that your garden is healthy year-round.
Know your Plants
Learn the needs of the different types of plants in your garden, so that you can prepare a plan for protecting them. To learn more about your specific plants, consult the experts at Evergreen Landscaping or research hardiness zones at on the USDA website, try a smartphone app like PlantSnapp, or contact the University of California Cooperative Extension office.
Watch the Weather
Once you know which plants must be protected during a frost or especially cold weather, keep an eye on the weather. Whenever temperatures start approaching freezing (or whatever temperature affects your most sensitive plants), get ready to place covers. Since the forecast is not always accurate, it is a good idea to also provide protection when the temperature gets within a few degrees of your plants’ hardiness level. For example, if a plant is hardy to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, make plans to cover or protect them when the predicted low is 35 degrees.
Mulch and Cover
You can protect the root systems and stems of tender plants by spreading mulch at their base at the beginning of winter. There are a few things to keep in mind. Don’t let the mulch touch the trunk or base of the plant. Skip wood mulch since it blocks nutrients from your plants, and keep the mulch two to three inches deep for best results.
For the plants in your garden that are most sensitive to the cold, keep some frost cloth on hand. This heavy-duty cloth does a much better job than plastic or cotton sheets. If you have groupings of several plants to cover, consider building a temporary winter structure. You can use PVC pipe to build a frame and then place the cloth over the frame.
Routine Maintenance
Plants in your garden will withstand the rigors of winter better when they are healthy and strong. Treat for any infestations, fungus, or pests that might be causing damage. Take the time to prune any plants that are supposed to be cut back during winter months, such as roses, which should be pruned in late winter. Avoid the temptation to prune plants that are damaged by the cold, however, since this can make them susceptible to disease. Weeds are not usually a big problem in winter, but pull any that do sprout up so they don’t have a chance to steal resources from your garden plants.
Provide Water
Not every plant likes to be watered during winter months, but many do need regular watering to be at their best. Follow the care instructions for each particular plant, but in general it’s not a bad idea to water once a week throughout winter, especially during years of drought. This will keep your plants from struggling through the winter so that they are healthy, strong, and ready to grow again when spring arrives. Don’t water at night or when temperatures are expected to drop below freezing.
Get Assistance
If you’re unsure how best to protect your plants, or want a little help keeping your garden beautiful all year long, call Evergreen Landscaping.
We offer gardening services on both long- and short-term basis, and we also take on special projects such as winterizing your yard, pruning and trimming, and maintaining sprinkler systems.
Give us a call today to see how we can help, 805-773-5395.