You’ve worked so hard to create a garden that you’re proud of, so it’s in your best interest to learn all about winterizing your plants.
After all, you don’t want them to freeze, wither, and die over the harsh upcoming winter. In Utah, we’re familiar with the blistering cold we get over the winter months, and the snow can start to fall during autumn. However, many gardeners don’t fully understand the process of winterizing to maximize their spring blooms.
All it takes is a few careful steps to help your plants survive and even thrive after a long and cold winter—no matter how much frozen snow is dumped on top. Today, we’re sharing how you can protect your garden and create one that can survive all 365 days you’ll experience in this beautiful state.
What is Winterizing?
Winterizing is the process of preparing your garden for colder weather, increased precipitation, and decreased sunlight. Depending on where you live and the types of plants you’ve selected for your garden, winterizing can look very different. For some places, you may need to bring trees inside (such as lemon and other citrus plants). In other places, you can get away with adding an extra layer of mulch. When in doubt about the type of winterizing that’s best for your garden and existing plants, stop by your local nursery. The nursery experts can help you understand your soil, climate, and the best ways to protect your plants through the winter.
Best Practices for Winterizing Your Plants:
- Clear Away Weeds & Detritus. The first place to start is by carefully combing your garden and yard for weeds, overgrown plants, trash, and other detritus. You’d be surprised how much extra growth can accumulate in your garden despite weekly yard work. Perennials, in particular, need to be cut or pruned to allow for healthy growth next season.
- Add Mulch. In many areas, gardens can fall prey to “frost heave,” which is when the soil freezes and thaws several times, pushing plants and bulbs out of the soil. You can combat this by adding several inches of mulch around the base of your plants. Another benefit of extra mulch is that it can insulate the plant and roots from the cold. Start with three inches of mulch, but increase based on how cold your area will become over the winter months.
- Pull Annuals. Some annuals and perennials need to be pulled for the winter. Examples include marigolds, zinnias, and many vegetable plants.
- Protect Evergreen. Plants with evergreen roots will stop taking water over the colder months. This doesn’t mean you should completely ignore them during the cold. Strong and cold winter winds can damage these plants and trees, so consider adding a burlap or other fabric shield to protect them. Secure with ties or stakes before the ground completely freezes.
All Green Pest Control Can Help All Year
As we slide into fall and get closer to the winter season, you need to start thinking about your garden’s survival and winterizing your plants. The professionals at All Green Pest Control can help you manage your yard, no matter the season. Whether you need pest control, yard care, or simply a consultation, don’t hesitate to contact us now. We serve Salt Lake and Utah counties in Utah.