The icy fingers of death: Gardening tips for winter

The icy fingers of death: Gardening tips for winter

     Well, the seasons have changed and I can safely say that winter is coming. Winter can be detrimental on plants depending on your location, so here's a little list of things to keep in mind. 

1. If your grass is looking a little patchy, put down seeds in the fall. This way they can germinate underneath the snow, and give you a full look come springtime.
2. Winter is the best time to take notes on future projects. Use late November and December to decide what you want to plant and how, as well as research new tips and tricks. 
3. Pruning decaying plants will help keep everything neat. If you need to cut any tree branches do it now. There aren't any leaves to get in the way, and it'll make your spring to-do list much shorter. 
4. Remove excess leaves or foliage around plants, and drain unnecessary water. (puddles) This step reduces the risk of rotting near the base of the plants, water born insects (misquotes) and pests.  
5.  Add mulch! Mulch will keep the solid warm during the harsh cold months. It basically gives the soil a season long hug. Ah, but birds may mess with the mulch, so keep an eye out for that.
6. keep an eye on the weather. If you have a lot of outdoor plants beware of the first frost. The first frost can do some serious damage if you're not prepared. 
7. preparing for the cold! You didn't think I'd say prepare for the cold without telling you how, did you? First up, cover your plants. Wrap the base of shrubs,  and trees with burlap and muslin. You can use these type of fabrics on other plants, but take into account the weight of the fabric and the strength of the plant. Some people cover there plants with plastic, but that locks in too much moisture and can damage the plants. In the event of using fabric and or plastic use discretion. This isn't one of those "one size fits all" solutions, so take the time to figure out which method is best for your plants.
8. climbers (plants that scale other plants or surfaces. Ex. ivy, vines, honeysuckle, morning glory...) should be secured with some sort of plant tie for extra support. (especially if you get a lot of heavy snow)

This list is primarily for flowers, but if you want a "Gardener's winter to-do" list for fruits or vegetables let me know by leaving a comment. I am still getting the rest of my social media together, but I'll try to include my handles in another post.