Prepping the Garden for Winter

Saturday, October 17, 2009 03:45 AM

Winter is just around the corner and there are a few outdoor chores left to do before the cold temperatures and snow are here to stay.

By now, most of the vegetables should be harvested out of the garden so any left over debris such as old stalks, and finished plants can be placed in the compost. The soil in the garden can be turned to expose over wintering larvae, and seeds to the cold winter elements, and birds which will aid in getting rid of them. Strawberries can use some extra protection by placing a blanket of peat moss over them. The peat moss will help insulate the plants over the winter and in the spring the peat moss can be incorporated into the soil making it more acidic by lowering the pH which is what strawberries like.

Perennials can be cleaned up by trimming them back to within 6 inches from ground level. The leftover 6 inch stubble will help catch and keep the snow which is a good winter blanket. Any tender perennials, or newly planted perennials could use some extra protection by placing peat moss or disease-free leaves over the crown during the winter months.

Cedars should be wrapped with burlap, string, netting or reemay to prevent heavy snows from breaking the branches. Alberta Spruce trees and Rhododendrons are wrapped with burlap to prevent the Alberta Spruce from winter burn, and dehydration of the foliage on rhododendrons. Never use plastic to wrap trees/shrubs, as this will cause poor air circulation which in turn will create a fungus. The time to wrap trees and shrubs is when the temperatures begin to remain freezing during the day and night. Do not touch the trees when it becomes too cold because they become fragile and branches and foliage can be easily damaged.

Roses are winterized by pruning half of new growth back. If the roses are winter hardy (zone 3) they only need to have some peat moss, bark chips, or disease free leaves placed over the crown or base of the plant to give it a little extra protection. Tender roses which are not hardy for our area should have a Styrofoam rose hut placed over it or you can use a pail, or pot with the bottom cut out of it and place it over the rose plant and then fill it with peat moss so that the rose is covered. When it begins to snow, shovel snow over the roses and this will also help protect it from the cold.

Do not forget to water all trees (especially cedars), perennials, bulbs, etc. before the frost sets into the ground as this is important in winter survival. Lawns can be fertilized with 6-3-12 winter feeder fertilizer which will strengthen the grass for the winter and trees and shrubs can be fertilized with 0-0-50. Mice are going to be a problem this year so wrap tree trunks with mouse guards and clean up as much as possible around plants making it harder for the mice to nest.

-Jos

Jos Van Hage owns and operates two Art Knapp Garden Centres in Prince George: