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Winterizing Gardens
Autumn and winter seasons signal a dormant stage in the garden, but the gardener still has plenty of tasks to do in order to have a beautiful healthy garden for the next spring and summer seasons. These tasks are very important in maintaining the quality of soil and plants for the next growing season. Caring for your tools and proper storage of them is important in order to keep them in good working condition, and in return it will make gardening easier and less expensive.
Winter can be very stressful on most plants and trees. The drastic temperature changes and cold winds are among the many dangers of winter. Wind can damage young trees and shrubs by cooling the air and drying them out. This can cause the plants to die back, and it may take longer next season for them to recover from the windburn. The best way to minimize this damage is to mulch with organic material to a depth of 6 to 8 inches around the base of the shrubs and trees.
Pruning trees and shrubs should be done in late fall or early winter before it starts getting very cold. Inspect your trees and shrubs for broken limbs or damage. Also watch out for limbs that need pruning due to overgrowth that may get damaged by the weight of snow and ice during the winter months. Any other pruning should be done in early spring months such as February or March, but before the plants start to bud.
Moisture content in the soil is a big factor in keeping plants healthy through their dormant stage during winter. Plants continue to transpire (lose moisture through their leaves and other surfaces) through the winter, although at a lower rate than in other seasons. During a dry winter when there is very little snow or rain, water your plants once every month or so when the ground is not frozen. This will keep the plants root system from drying out and causing undue damage.
Another task to do during the winter season is to clean and store away garden equipment and tools. Make sure the equipment is in good working condition, and do maintenance chores such as changing oil, sharpening blades, cleaning out grass and other debris, and oiling all moving parts. Store it in a dry area where the equipment will be protected from the elements, and it ready to use as soon as the weather conditions are ready for spring gardens to be planted again. Just a few tasks like these will ensure that you have a more successful garden experience in the coming season. So, all you have to do now is enjoy the last of this season and read up on some new ideas you can incorporate into your garden for next year.
Mae
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