Winter Preparations for Plants

     Getting ready for the winter.

Clean up plants that you suspect have diseases (such as powdery mildew -these plants should not go in the compost bins), and remove plants or leaves that look mushy or dried out.

But leave the plants that are still in bloom, the vines and the grasses.  Also the ones that have stiff branches (to catch the snow) and the ones with seed heads. 

 feather reed grass                    beebalm

Pile fallen leaves around tender perennials, trees and shrubs; keeping the leaves and any mulch away from direct contact with the trunks and stems to discourage rodents from eating the bark.  

When shovelling snow, carefully pile it onto tender plants to cover exposed areas. This is especially helpful for plants that are situated near buildings, where they break dormancy early.

 You can also pile it under and around trees to give them extra moisture when the snow starts to melt.

De-icing salts are harmful to plants that are located near walkways. It is better to use play sand, made mostly of quartz, or non- clumping kitty litter, wood shavings or vermiculite.  If you must use salt, Junipers, blue fescue, caraganas, feather reed grass, Autumn Joy sedum, silver mound Artemisia, are a few plants that can tolerate saline conditions.

When a heavy snowfall occurs, gently shake it off tree and shrub branches. If breakage does happen, make a clean cut with pruners, to prevent further damage.