Get Your Garden Winter-Ready: 6 Essential Steps
As winter approaches, it's time to prepare our gardens for the cold months ahead. The first hard frost, when temperatures drop below 28°F, signals the start of these important tasks. Let's dive into the steps to protect our plants and ensure they thrive come spring 2024.
Begin preparations in mid to late October, before the ground freezes. Apply a generous layer of mulch, around 3-4 inches, around the base of trees and shrubs. This helps insulate the roots and protects them from extreme temperatures. Remember to keep the mulch away from the trunks to prevent rot. Outdoor plant preservation is crucial with the onset of cold weather.
Give your trees and shrubs a deep watering before the ground freezes, especially evergreens. Despite their name, evergreens can still lose moisture through their leaves in winter, so keeping them hydrated is vital. Stop fertilizing hybrid tea roses in late August, but continue watering until the first watch of winter. This ensures they have enough nutrients and moisture to survive the winter.
Cut back spent perennials like hostas, daylilies, and peonies to 2-3 inches above ground. This helps prevent disease and encourages new growth in spring 2024. Dig up tender bulbs like gladiolus and dahlias after the first frost kills their foliage. Store them in a cool, dry place until spring 2024.
Leave ornamental grasses and seed heads on plants like purple coneflowers and black-eyed Susans. These provide winter interest and serve as a food source for birds. Wrap burlap around tender plants like boxwood, Japanese maples, and newly planted evergreens. This protects them from winter winds and extreme temperatures.
Preparing our gardens for winter is a vital task that ensures our plants survive the cold months and thrive in the spring 2024. By following these steps, we can provide the necessary care and protection for our outdoor plants. Happy gardening!
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