Unfortunately, the long, sunny, and warm days are coming to a crashing halt, and the days of it being dark at 4:30 p.m. have arrived. If you are someone who has an extravagant garden in your backyard, you’ll need to take the proper precautions to keep those plants happy and healthy. These are some of the common gardening mistakes to avoid this winter.
Adding Plants Late
Adding to your garden late into the season can be problematic for handling winter temperatures. When the soil is constantly freezing and thawing, your plants will suffer the consequences because they will not stay in the ground. Six weeks from the first freeze is generally the cutting-off point for laying some new seeds.
Pruning Too Late
Like getting a haircut, pruning your bushes allows them to grow faster, leaving them susceptible to frigid temperatures. Therefore, you’ll want to have the final prune job before Labor Day weekend. If it’s too late in the season, forego this task until early spring to remove destroyed branches from the brutal winter.
Keeping Plants Thirsty
It’s hard to imagine, but trees still need plenty of watering during the winter months, especially if you just put them in the ground. Think about how dry and thirsty you feel when the wind and cold are affecting you outside. Your tree feels the same things, so make sure you hydrate it when the soil isn’t frozen to prepare them for the brunt of severe weather.
Not Adding Mulch for Protection
We like to provide our bodies with layers for protection, and you can do the same for your garden with additional mulch. The added support helps keep frost from seeping its way into your plants with weakened roots. A layer of mulch around two inches thick will shield the plant’s roots effectively.
Forgetting To Clear Debris Before Snowfall
As with any lawn maintenance, the proactive approach is always the best solution. Before the first snowfall, walk through your garden and pick up any debris that’s accumulated during the fall. Doing this limits the number of places critters can gather, preventing any diseases that may affect your garden.
Not Using Protective Materials
Luckily, there are plenty of materials you can use to defend your plants from harsh conditions properly. For starters, frost blankets are a relatively cheap option, costing around $30, that cover a wide range of plants. You can also wrap your shrubs and small conifers with burlap, keeping the rodents from nibbling them.
These common gardening mistakes to avoid this winter aids in your preparation. A thorough preventative process ensures that those April showers bring in May flowers.
