When you feel the winter chill, you probably want to start getting out your warm clothes and curling up next to a fire. Before you settle into the warmth of the indoors, remember to take care of your garden. Trees and shrubs may seem very durable, but if you still want to be able to harvest your fruit trees and berry bushes next year, make sure you prep them for winter.
Prune
Pruning your tree is a great thing to do once winter starts. Since the trees are becoming dormant and losing their leaves, it is a great time to see dead branches and cut them away. You can also use the time to shape your tree into your desired shape.
Removing unnecessary branches can help your trees and shrubs better withstand snow. Diseased and broken branches, left unchecked, could end up snapping from the weight of snowfall.
Nurture the soil
Since the ground freezes in the winter, you should ensure your plants are left with the best soil possible. Try adding mulch and fertilizer to the dirt in and around your plants to keep them well-nourished through the winter.
Adding extra nutrients to the soil can help your plants become more resistant to insects and diseases. Nurturing the ground before your trees and shrubs become dormant in the winter is a great way to keep your garden safe in the winter months.
Wrap the trunk
Wrapping the trunks of your trees and shrubs can help protect your plants during the winter. Wraps are especially important for young or damaged trees. Wrapping a tree trunk before the weather gets too cold can help protect them from vermin that try to hide in trunks to survive the colder months. Tree wraps also keep animals from eating your trees during the winter.
Water
Even though snowfall can help hydrate your trees and shrubs, you should heavily water your plants before the ground freezes. Watering your trees and shrubs before the air gets too chilly helps them stay hydrated and healthy through the winter.
Avoid rock salt
Rock salt is commonly used during the winter months. When you are maintaining your home through the winter by using rock salt to get rid of ice, avoid your gardening area. You can damage your trees and shrubs if the salt gets into their soil.
You want to use this salt to keep your driveway and sidewalks clean and from being dangerous. Do not use too much, especially around your yards and garden, because an excess of salt can damage water flow to plant roots and create dehydration.
If you end up getting rock salt in your garden area, you can wash the salt out after the snow melts in the spring.
Wrap up
Winter can be a harmful season to a lot of your garden plants, but trees and shrubs don’t have to fall victim to the winter blues. Before you pack all your gardening gear up for the winter, remember to prep your trees and shrubs for the winter and give them the best chance of having a blooming spring.
Read Also : 6 of the Best Plants for Fighting Soil Erosion
