Exploring Ideas: Designing Outdoor Living Spaces
Winter is wonderful, but not when it freezes the plants that you’ve spent all year cultivating and nurturing. During the winter months, your plants require some extra care, attention, and maintenance to keep them alive to see spring.
Before you start getting out the tools in the tool shed, it’s best to go over what you need to maintain your garden and how you can prevent it from getting covered in snow.
Here are some of the best strategies to keeping your plants safe from winter frostbite during the colder months:
Maintenance Procedures
The best way to start protecting your plants against snow damage is to give your plants the proper maintenance before the cold sets in. Before the winter months settle in, you should avoid pruning your plants as much as possible. Pruning causes the growth of new leaves and twigs, which can be too tender and weak to withstand the cold. In addition, you may want to avoid fertilizing your plant at least six weeks before winter.
By stopping to fertilize, your plant will be able to strengthen, thereby enabling it to withstand the frost. Finally, you should water your plants until the snow starts to fall. The water should penetrate at least 12 inches into the soil so that the plant’s roots are treated. With these precautions, your plant will be able to withstand snow damage better.
Cover the Plants
While it may seem otherwise, it’s never too late to cover your plants, even if the snow has gotten to them first. Simply shake off the snow that has settled and ensure that there is hardly any moisture on the plant. Once you are certain that your plant is dry and free from snow, you should cover the plant with a heavy duty sheet or cover. The cover will keep the plant warm and prevent the frost from shriveling the leaves. Covering your plant will maintain its beautiful appearance throughout the winter and well into spring.
Apply Mulch around the Plant
The final step in protecting your plants against the snow is to apply mulch around the plants. Mulch keeps the ground warm and prevents the frost from ruining the plant. Before you apply the mulch, clear away the weeds and any leaves in the area. Once you’ve cleared away the weeds and the area is clean, you can apply the mulch around the plant.
When applying the mulch, spread the much around the plant evenly. Make sure that you aren’t covering the plant’s stem. This way, your plant will still receive the moisture that it needs to help it survive throughout winter.
Overall, with this step and those above, you’ll be able to keep your beautiful garden looking strong and splendid well throughout winter. After the winter months fly by, you’ll be able to go back to maintaining your garden and preparing it for the next few months so that it can thrive. Just don’t forget to follow the right steps for the best results.
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