Winter Garden ‘To Do’ List
2) Keeping your walkways safe by using salt to prevent slipping is not always great for your plants and trees. Be sure to keep the salt away from your plants, and if you have some spillage, pick up as much as possible or at least leach it out by watering with a hose during mild spells. Plant-friendly eco ice melter is available though it is sometimes harder to find and may cost a little more.
4) You might want to check your semi-hardy tropical plants like bananas, palms, eucalyptus etc. Keep the crowns of palms protected from freezing weather by using insulating materials wrapped inside plastic to protect them from severe cold. Make sure the leaves are off the hardy green banana (Musa basjoo), and the stems are well insulated. All other semi-hardy plants (zoned 7, 8, or 9) should be insulated and protected as well. Please refer to our care guide for caring for tender winter plants for further detail!
6) It sounds silly, but if you have plants, like azaleas and camellias, under the eaves of your home where they are not getting any moisture, when it’s mild, take a hose and soak the ground. In doing so, you can prevent desiccation and bud drop before they bloom in spring. Check on your patio planters at the same time. Plants under cover are not getting watered with the rain, and we’ve had some warmer days, so they may be a bit thirsty. Remember, plants will endure a cold snap much better if their roots are well-hydrated.
7) Indoor plants often struggle at this time of year, so remember the three golden rules: keep them near windows to optimize light; keep the temperature in your home down a little to improve humidity, and water with warm water only when the plants are dry. No repotting until late March/April and only then if the plants are truly rootbound.
8) Pruning and dormant spraying have already been addressed in our blogs, but this is still a great thing to get done right now if you haven’t already!
10) Finally, the best therapy for the winter blues, especially for anyone who loves gardening, is a seed catalogue. Just looking through and imagining all the fresh vegetables and colour you can grow provides the best promise of spring. A frequently asked question we receive is ‘When do I start seeds?’ and the short answer is ‘It depends on the seed!’. Seed packages are quite good about providing timing details so that you’ll be able to start your seed on a schedule that will allow them to be transplanted outdoors when the conditions support their success in the garden. Be sure to read the details carefully before you begin. For other tips, feel free to browse through our Seed Starting Guide.
Nearly everyone looks forward to spring, but if you start to view winter as a busy, exciting, inspiring season on its own, you’ll easily find bright spots during darker days. Enjoy the season we’re in!