Detailed Tips On Preparing Your Landscapes For Winter & What You
Can Do Now To Prepare Them For Next Spring

Winter Protection

• Winter winds blow predominantly from the northwest. That means plants on the northern and western sides of a home or office, or plants that are unshielded by any structures, or other plants, are the most susceptible to damaging winter winds. Burlap wind breaks and Moisturin antitranspirant can help shield exposed plants.
• Plants on the southern and eastern sides of a home or office are most prone to damaging freeze/thaw cycles because of their exposure to the winter sun. One of reasons plants suffer winter damage is because the formation of ice crystals inside the plant can damage plant tissues. It is rare that a single freeze/thaw inside the plant will cause damage, the problem occurs when repeated freeze/thaws occur. Plants on the eastern or southern side of a structure, or totally unprotected plants, may experience repeated freeze thaws, and are therefore most prone to this type of damage. Anti-transpirants like Moisturin can help insulate the plant leaves and stems, and may reduce freeze/thaw damage.
• Plants with a lot of winter leaves are very prone to damage. That's why broadleaf evergreens as a group are the most susceptible to winter damage. We are all familiar with broadleaf evergreens like Cherry Laurel, Schip Laurel, Southern Magnolias, Rhododendron, Azaleas, and Holly varieties. What surprises many of us is that plants like Boxwood, Euonymus, and Cotoneaster, are also considered broadleaf evergreens. Burlap winter barriers and Moisturin can help protect these plants from winter damage.
• It is easy to think of plants in dormancy as being inactive, the truth is they remain surprisingly active. One thing that plants need all year round is water - even in the middle of winter. If we are getting significant rain or snow in winter and the snow periodically melts then that is usually enough to take care of the plant's needs. However, if precipitation is minimal, come mid to late January, February and early March periodic watering can be very beneficial to all your plants. Anti-transpirants like Moisturin will reduce moisture loss - making supplemental watering less important. Late fall mulching will help reduce water loss during winter months.
• Mulching beds can not only reduce water loss in the soil during winter, it can insulate the soil, keep the soil temperature higher, and reduce significant soil temperature fluctuations - all of which can help reduce plant damage and losses.
• Deer damage not only directly effects the plant parts that are eaten, it can reduce the plant's overall ability to weather the winter months. In addition, it sets plants back each spring because they have to regrow what was lost to deer. Anything that reduces deer damage, helps plants survive the winter and thrive next spring.
• If you had disease or insect problems on plants this year, spray them with Damoil Oil Spray or Bonide All Season Horticultural Spray Oil (see products above). The oil will kill most insect eggs, and fungi spores and can reduce or eliminate the disease/insect problem next year.
• Newly installed plants are far more prone to winter damage that mature plants. The root system of a plant plays a vital role in winter survival. The deeper the roots - the better the chance for survival. The longer a plant is in the ground, the deeper its root system, and the better its winter hardiness. All of the tips listed above should be considered with newly installed landscapes.

Fertilizing In The Fall & Winter