When you’re expecting freezing temperatures at your home,
you need to be proactive about protecting your landscaping. It’s the best way
to keep your plants healthy and able to survive freezing weather. Here are some
tips to help you prepare for a freeze.
Water
To help lower the risk of freezing damage to your plants,
water them thoroughly before the freezing weather arrives. This aids your
plants not by providing cold protection exactly, but by preventing your plants
from drying out when strong winds occur that often accompany cold weather. However,
watering your soil well does help it absorb solar radiation better than dry
soil, which promotes re-radiation of the heat during the night.
Location
When possible, transfer your tender hanging baskets and
container plants indoors where freezing temperatures will not reach them.
Remember to place them in an area that will receive light if they will be kept
indoors for an extended period. If you cannot move plants inside a building, group
them in a protected area such as the inside corner of a covered patio and cover
them with a material like plastic.
Cover
For plants that will stay outside and are not too large,
protect them individually by covering them with cardboard or Styrofoam boxes.
Mulch
Plants that are not in containers but grow directly in the
ground can be protected using mulches. Loose, dry materials like leaves or pine
straw are most helpful. Remember that mulch will only protect areas that it
covers so spread it appropriately. Mulch is ideal for preventing freeze damage
to crowns or underground portions of plants. It can also be used to completely
cover groundcover or low-growing plants up to a four inches deep, but make sure
you don’t leave the plants covered for more than four days.
If you have any questions or need help winterizing your landscaping contact us today:
