By Carol Holden & Gardening on the Cay
Hello Garden Friends,
I hope your fall has been wonderful so far! December is here, the daylight is getting shorter, and our gardens are beginning to look a little weary. Now is the time to help them recover and prepare for the new year.
If you garden with pots, go ahead and empty them, clean them, and store them for winter. Use soapy water or a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water to scrub them clean. Rinse well, let them dry completely, and store them in a dry, protected place until next season.
This is not the time to do heavy pruning or prune spring blooming plants—pruning encourages new growth, and that is the last thing your plants need going into winter. Pruning in late winter or early spring is a better idea because most plants are dormant, reducing stress and disease risk. Pruning at the wrong time can harm your plant or cause loss of flowers in springtime. Before you prune read up on when the best time to prune is for your particular plant. Also avoid fertilizing, as it can stimulate tender new growth that will not survive frost and wintry weather.
As winter approaches, temperatures can fluctuate. Here in the South, we are lucky not to drop below 28°F too often, which is when cold becomes especially dangerous for many plants. After the first frost, add 2–3 inches of mulch around the base of your plants. Mulching insulates the soil, retains moisture, and protects roots from sudden temperature drops. Waiting until after the first frost when the ground freezes also help discourage pests from overwintering in your mulch.
Have you ever wondered how plants survive in winter? Well, in fall and winter, plant roots store sugars that help them resist freezing. They also reduce moisture in their cells, allowing flexibility that prevents cell walls from bursting when temperatures dip. Aren’t plants amazing?
Although many plants have evolved to survive colder weather, we still need to help them at times. One issue to watch for is soil “heaving”—when repeated freeze-thaw cycles push plant roots up out of the soil. Exposed roots are vulnerable to wind, cold, and sun. A good mulch layer helps prevent this and keeps plants anchored and insulated.
Dry winter winds are tough on evergreens, which can lose moisture through their foliage. If the ground is frozen, roots can’t pull in more water, leading to browning or “winter burn.” Protect your evergreens with burlap wraps, shade cloth, or use an anti-desiccant spray like Wilt Stop, which coats the leaves to reduce moisture loss.
Young trees can also suffer. Sudden temperature drops may cause bark to crack. To protect them, wrap trunks with tree wrap—starting at the base and going up to the first set of branches. Secure it well, and don’t forget to remove the wrap in the spring.
Keep an eye on your soil throughout the season. If it has not rained and the ground is dry, give your plants a deep watering—even if you have already winterized your hose.
To winterize your hose, stretch it out straight on a warm, sunny day and hold one end in an upward motion and walk the length of the hose to let all the water drain out. Once it is dry, roll it up and store it in a shed or garage. Winterizing your hose will help to extend its life and save you money.
Take care of your garden now, and it will be ready to thrive again in the new year.
Happy Gardening from Gardening on the Cay!
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