Protecting your plants for winter

We are starting to feel some cold weather in Massachusetts. And to think, it's going to get much colder in the coming months! While frigid temps, heavy snow and ice that are typical of New England winters will cause some damage to our plants, it is possible to minimize damage. Here are a few of our suggestions:

• Block damaging winds from your trees and shrubs by covering them with burlap.

• Apply winter mulch around the base of your plants to keep the soil temperature more stable and protect your plants. Evergreen boughs and hay are good choices.

• Bring fragile potted plants indoors for the winter season.

• Continue to water until the ground freezes. Many people think that watering is unimportant after the stress of heat is over, but October and November tend to be pretty dry months. And once the ground freezes, your plants won't get much to drink at all. So keep watering!

• Clean-up leaves and other debris. A comprehensive fall cleanup can minimize disease and insect problems the following season.  Leaves that may carry the spores of fungi should be removed from your property.  If flowers were attacked by Red Lily Beetles, cleaning up all of that foliage is critical to remove, as surviving beetles and eggs like to make this their winter home. Leafy perennials should be cut back to prevent rodents nesting. 

• Snow can weight down some plants to the breaking point.  If the snow is light and loose, brush it off gently with your hands or a broom.  If there is ice with freezing snow on the plant, it's best to leave it alone; you may do more harm than good. If heavy snow and ice take a toll on your landscape this year, consider staking plants and trees in the spring to help them recover.

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