Winter is one of the most dreaded times of the year for many. Humans consider it the coldest period of the year and rely on indoor heating to keep the temperature warm. However, plants and shrubs on the outside are also directly impacted by this weather condition. The best Plymouth, MN landscaper notes that property owners can reduce the impact of the weather on their plants by taking the right precautionary steps.
As a property owner who has tended to your grasses, trees, and bushes throughout the year, much more must be done to protect them during winter. Here are five ways to protect your evergreen trees and bushes in the winter.
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Apply Winter Mulch
Mulching is one of the best ways to show your plants and trees that you care. Adding mulch is similar to cranking up the heat in your indoor space. The mulch protects the root and the stem’s base from the cold weather and keeps it warm.
Mulch is great for maintaining soil and root temperature, locking in the heat, and protecting your evergreen trees during extreme weather. In addition, it helps maintain the warmth of the soil surrounding the tree or plant, thus encouraging important biochemical activities necessary for nutrient uptakes.
By adding mulch, you can also effectively combat temperature fluctuations, a high-impact factor that can kill your plants or trees.
Please ensure that the mulch is applied right before winter starts. This will help trap the right amount of heat and moisture at the base of the plant.
Apply Anti-Desiccants
Anti-desiccants are also known as anti-transpirants. They are chemical sprays designed to protect evergreen plants during harsh winter months. You can purchase this product, spray it on your evergreens to lock in moisture and keep them healthy and green during the winter.
Anti-desiccants are necessary because the winter season often makes it harder for plants and trees to extract moisture from the soil. In most cases, the ground may freeze due to freezing temperatures, and this can cause the plant to dry out and die. But by locking in the moisture, you can effectively save your plants from dying by reducing moisture loss and enhancing moisture conservation.
It is recommended that you apply anti-desiccants in November to prepare your evergreens for the cold winter months ahead. You can reapply in January to reseal moisture and keep your plant protected throughout winter.
Apply The Right Amount Of Water
As described above, winter often comes with freezing temperatures that often freeze the soil. With the soil frozen, it’s harder for your evergreen plants to access moisture, thus causing them to dry out. Watering your plants during the winter season may sound counterintuitive, however, it provides them with their basic need for survival.
Please note that watering during the winter should be done with care. You should only apply the right amount of water to prevent waterlogging. Waterlogging your plant can also kill them, especially as it shuts off their breathing pores and suffocates them.
Give your plant the right breathing space between watering regimens and only supply the right amount of water.
Wrap The Shrubs
Shrubs are delicate and can be badly affected by inclement weather. A great way to help them cope better with the dropping temperature is to provide a level of warmth. Such warmth can be in the form of a wraparound.
Wraparounds are great for trapping heat and protecting shrubs from critters. You can also cover the shrubs with large buckets, ensuring that they are protected from heavy, cold winds during the winter months.
Please note that you should never wrap your shrubs in plastic bags. While this may appear cheap and methodical, it can also affect your plant’s breathing, causing it to die.
If you must tie your shrubs, choose porous and breathable materials like sheets or burlaps.
Wrap Your Trees
Evergreen trees also deserve some warmth during the cold winter months. You can deliver the needed warmth by wrapping the trees and foliage.
By wrapping your tree up, you protect it from harsh and cold winds while also helping it trap heat for improved function and health. As with the shrubs, avoid wrapping your trees in plastic bags. Instead, choose sheets or burlaps to wrap the trees.
It is also important to get the sheets off the trees as soon as the temperatures start rising. Forgetting the sheets in place can burn your evergreens or kill them, depending on how long they’ve been tied up.
The above tips can help keep your landscaping trees, shrubs, and grasses healthy and safe throughout the cold winter season.
