Winter Gardening To-Do List

Gardens

  • Make sure your perennials are well watered going into winter and mulched to a depth of 4” to 6”
  • Untie deciduous vines, lay on the ground, and mulch
  • Cover strawberry plants with at least 2” of hay or straw
  • Place stacks in the garden identifying those perennials which might be mistaken for weeds in the spring
  • If ground is not frozen, turn the soil to expose insect eggs and break up heavy soil
  • Water once a month during the winter months preferably in the morning in temperatures above 45 degrees

Trees and Shrubs

  • Mulch shrubs to a depth of 4”
  • Wrap trunks of young trees to protect them against sunscald and winter injury--  remove the wrap in the spring
  • Prune summer flowering shrubs, but NOT spring bloomers
  • Shake or brush snow off the branches of evergreens and shrubs
  • Water once a month during the winter months preferably in the morning in temperatures above 45 degrees

Lawn Care

  • Either rake leaves from lawn and compost (not aspen or fruit tree leaves) or mow over to create a mulch adding important nutrients back in to your lawn
  • Stay off of frozen grass
  • Water once a month during the winter months preferably in the morning in temperatures above 45 degrees

Indoor Foliage

  • Mist Indoor Foliage against winter heating which dries the interior air of your home
  • Sponge off glossy-leaved Indoor Foliage to allow them to breathe—Non-glossy type plants place in sink and spray gentle with room temperature water and let dry complete

General Maintenance

  • Take down non-permanent trellises and supports, clean and put away.
  • Clean clay pots with a weak bleach solution and store indoors to prevent cracking
  • Beat the crowd—get your lawn mower and garden tools sharpened during the slow winter months
  • Clean and oil garden tools for winter storage
  • Make sure hoses are drained, disconnected and stored against winter freezing
  • BEGIN PLANNING YOUR SPRING AND SUMMER LANDSCAPE BY ATTENDING PHELAN GARDENS CLASSES AND USING THE Landscape Design Kit

For any questions you have on this article, or any topic of concern, email us—or better yet, come by and talk to one of our professional staff members.  Remember, Phelan Gardens is open year-round!   

For additional information, check the following link: