As autumn’s temperatures drop, it’s time to get gardens ready for the winter. As the temperature drops, it could feel like your yard is not changing at all. Up to the point where the earth freezes, however, a lot may be seen and heard down there. Newly planted trees and shrubs, perennial divisions, and hardy spring bulbs are all working hard to establish themselves in the soil.
Plants in your care have natural defenses against the colder months, so here are steps to take care of your Home Garden in Winter to help them survive.
1. Perennials Need Mulch
Once established, perennials will continue to bloom year after year, if they can survive the winters in your area. Preparing hardy plants for winter won’t take much work. But be wary of frost heave if your region has frequent freezing and thawing. This implies that plants, particularly young ones with little roots, are literally pushed upwards and out of the earth by the soil.
Applying a 6-inch-thick layer of mulch made from chopped leaves, straw, or another material around your perennials after the ground has frozen may help avoid this problem. Particularly useful if winters in your location don’t consistently bring a blanket of snow to the ground, this will keep the soil at a more comfortable temperature for plants.
2. Prevent Frost Damage to Annuals
Annuals, as opposed to perennials, which return year after year, die off throughout the winter and must be replaced. Some of these annuals are classified as “cool-season,” meaning they thrive best in temperate climates. Some examples include blue lobelia, snapdragons, and decorative kale. In contrast, warm-season annuals thrive when temperatures are high. Examples include zinnias, French marigolds, and impatiens.
3. Unearth Fragile Bulbs for Careful Handling
Hardy spring-blooming bulbs are among those best planted in the fall, while fragile bulbs are planted in the winter. Gladiolus, cannas, and dahlias are just few of the many well-liked summer flowers that fall into this category. These tropical plants won’t make it through the winter in a climate with frosty soils. The plants may be brought inside for the winter if you want to take care of your Home Garden in Winter.
The leaves should be allowed to turn brown from the cold before you pull out the bulbs or tubers carefully. The dirt and leaves need to be trimmed away and brushed off as thoroughly as possible. Don’t soak them in water since it will only encourage decay while they’re stored. You should instead hang them up in a cool, dry place for a week.
4. Treat Trees and Shrubs Like Royalty
If your trees and shrubs are in excellent form going into winter, they will fare better. Providing enough water to evergreens and deciduous trees before the ground freezes is crucial, particularly if fall has been dry. Spread organic stuff, such chopped leaves, up to a depth of 6 inches after the ground has frozen.
This prevents the soil from drying up too quickly and shields the plant’s roots from the freezing and thawing that occurs throughout winter. Remove sick or broken branches from trees to prevent snow and wind from making the situation more worse. Burlap screens or shade cloth shelters may be used to protect young evergreens in exposed sites from the drying effects of winter wind.
5. Snuggle Up With Your Roses
During the growth season, roses demand a lot of care, but their beauty makes it hard to complain. As the temperature begins to chill and they enter their dormant phase, you have one more task to complete: preparing them for winter. Knowing what sort of roses you have is important since some are more resilient than others. Hybrid tea roses are the most fussy and need the greatest protection from the winter chill, while shrub roses are the least demanding of their caretakers. Before the ground freezes, water your roses well but refrain from fertilizing or pruning them to take care of your Home Garden in Winter.
