Tips To Save Your Garden This Winter!

Winter is a tough time. Not just for us animals, but the plants too. Only the sturdiest ones survive as the ground dries and the water freezes up. So yes, most of your garden or potted plants might have crossed over to the dormant stages. With the vegetation shedding, the gardens look bare and cold. Though there is not much we can do to alter the natural cycle of life, there are some ways to make sure your garden escapes the barren look! 

The simplest way out to add the color

The easiest way to make your gardens look youthful all around the year would be to plant more evergreens! Evergreens are sturdy and can get acclimatized to any weather. Moreover, they don’t lose their color or vibrance even in the harshest times. Hence, plant more evergreens in your garden. Arrange them on the sidewalks or along the fence and create a beautiful landscape that never runs dry of color!

Look for the evergreen plants that can even survive a thick blanket of snow. If you are looking for some color other than green foliage, check out Blue Spruce, Hellebore among others!

Keep up the gardens

With the foliage down, the winter is the perfect time to do some maintenance work on the plants. Prep up the garden space by pruning down the shrubs and trees. Even for the evergreens, if you want to preserve their pristine look, cut them in shape to not look overgrown. 

This gives an activity for you to spend more time outdoors and makes some space to bring in the new additions to the family.

Care for your plants

The winters will be harsh for your plants. Make the grounds more hospitable for them by covering them with mulch. Water before the ground begins to freeze. Cover the soil with mulch and dry leaves to protect the plant bases. If your plants can’t survive in the cold, you can also invest in insulating caps for the plants. These trap in the heat similar to the greenhouse concept and protects the plant from the cold.  

Bring in the vulnerable

The winter is a vulnerable time for many of your garden plants. If it took you a lot of effort to revive them, don’t experiment with the winters. Instead, bring in the plants before they encounter freezing conditions. Though you can set up an outdoor heater (just in case), but maintaining milder conditions is easier in the comforts of your home. Hence, before the season’s onset, dig and transfer the plants into pots and bring them in.

Relocate plants

In winters, the ground freezes up as well as the waters. The frosty grounds are not suitable for your plants, especially tender ones. It would be ideal for taking the plants and planting them in the pots. The pot gives a safer environment for your plants than the grounds. 

This is also an ideal time to put in the winter plants. They get enough time to settle before the ground hardens and flourish when the real cold hits.  

Grow vegetables

Though the winters can kill the spring plants, they might work well for your leafy vegetables! Plants like lettuce, kale, and Swiss chard can survive the winters if you give a little care. Some plants need to be planted over winter to enjoy the fruits by early spring. Hence, take a look at the local nursery, browse through the plants you like, and spare time to care for them.

Plant the sturdy berries and ornamental grasses

Winter is the season for the berries. Though the fruits dropping may become a mess later, seeing your garden blooming with colors is still worthwhile. Likewise, ornamental grasses bear seed heads in the cold winters. It is unlikely that ornamental grasses will bring color, but the seed heads will bring some layers to your garden in the winter months! Bring in the seasonal plants to your garden to liven up the gardens.

Be hospitable for the winter guests

Winter is an ideal time where your gardens get visited by many unconventional furry friends. From winter birds en route to their destination to squirrels braving the cold, there is a lot of life bustling amidst your plants. So create a space of hospitality for the life that has sprung up in the winters. You can hang feeders for the birds and animals alike. Just make sure you give what they like! These small accessories can also add a vibe to the garden and make it look livelier!

Give a thought for the future

The winters are a dormant period for plants to grow, especially considering planting the floral species. Hence, rather than experimenting, it is wiser to use the period to know about the garden and how to make it better for the plants that you want to plant for the coming season. 

Plan ideas to make your garden look richer. Check out the layering idea and experiment with the layouts. Once finalized, order your plants so that you can set up the space as soon as the winter takes a leave. 

Conclusion

Winter is not the ideal time to plant your potted friends, especially if you don’t know how to care for them. The snow adds to the extreme climate and may choke the plant before taking its roots. Hence, take a break if you plan to add the floras to your garden. Instead, use your time to protect and prepare space for your future buddies!