The foliage and roots of trees, shrubs and plants can be damaged by extreme cold and even lead to the death of your plants. And often the plant may not die but may need trimming to remove the dead parts or it will grow slowly for several years while recuperating.
This can be discouraging after spending time and money grooming your landscape and creating a backyard retreat. Plan ahead to help protect your plants and keep them healthy during the cold winter season.
- Create a donut shape of mulch around your plant. This acts as a circle of protection for the roots. In the fall it’s quite easy to find leaves, pine needles or composted straw for mulching.
- Keep mulch 1 or 2 inches away from the trunk of the tree. If you place the mulch directly up to the tree it can cause problems for the tree trunk and bark. Place the mulch 2 to 3 inches deep.
- Cover any broad-leaf plants. Start by driving four stakes into the ground surrounding the plant. Make sure the stakes are at least 6 inches from the plant. Your plants need room and you also want to make sure not to stake into the roots.
- Place breathable cloth over the stakes and ensure that no leaves on the branches of the plant come in contact with the sheet. To easily do this I use a wire cage I have created from old recycled window screens or old netted fencing. If your plant comes in contact with the cold fabric frost damage may still occur.
- Remove cloth coverings from your plants as soon as the weather warms up. Leave the stakes in the ground in case the weather turns cold unexpectedly. I keep covers close by just ion case I need them for a cold night.
Plant care tips:
Remove damaged or dead branches from your tree during cold weather. This helps to relieve stress on the tree. It will also lead to a healthier, more vital tree.
Mulch may block moisture from reaching the roots of your plant. I water the area well before I apply the mulch and water the plant regularly before the cold set in to stay. If you live in a warmer area, check moisture levels at least once a month, even in the dead of winter. Where I live, unless we are having a warm winter, this is not necessary.
Do not use plastics to cover your plants. Plastic may cause a slight greenhouse effect inside the covering. This will make the temperatures inside the covering change between hot and cold sporadically, damaging your plant.
With a little planning and care your landscaping plants will survive cold temperatures and add beauty to the lawn for years to come.
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