How to Care for Flowers in Winter
All gardeners know how important it is to keep plants healthy during the winter months. There are many precautions to take to ensure that your plants are protected from the harsh temperatures that come our way during the winter. It is important that you know what to do and when to do it. We all want to see our flowers blossom in the spring, most of us can hardly wait. In the meantime, we must provide them the tender loving care that we will be rewarded for in the springtime. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Banana peels, egg shells or tea bags
- Fungicide
- Insecticide
- Mulch, straw or leaves
- Planting container
- Potting soil
- Liquid fertilizer
Instructions
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Protecting Flowers for Winter
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1
In late November, water your plant deeply. You can tell if your plant has had adequate water by stopping the water flow, and if the water stands for a couple of seconds after taking it off of your plant, then it has had enough. Remember, your plant will use this water all winter. If a freeze is in the forecast before late November, water plants thoroughly before the ground freezes.
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2
Apply a light fertilizer such as banana peels, egg shells or tea bags. They break down slowly, and will last for the coming winter months.
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3
Prune lightly in December. If you have had a problem with black spot in the past, hand pick these leaves off. Remove any damage you see.
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4
Spray a fungicide. This will keep the plant from getting diseases in the winter months when most diseases are born on your plant. To keep those pests from making your plant a home for the winter, spray an insecticide. For roses, discontinue fungicidal spraying in October.
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5
Gather 1 to 2 inches of mulch, straw or leaves. Cover the ground area around the plant. Cover as far out as the branches stretch, because this is where your roots are. Do this when temperatures are expected to drop below the freezing mark (32 degrees F).
Colder Climates
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6
If you live in Zones 5 or lower, then you will need to do a little extra work. It is best if you transplant your flower into a container. Do this in mid-November.
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7
Use a mix of potting soil and liquid fertilizer. The liquid fertilizer is to prevent transplant shock.
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8
Bring the container in the house or shed. Keep soil moist through the winter months.
Keep the plant sheltered from the harsh cold temperatures.
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1
Tips & Warnings
It is good idea to build a protective cage around your plant. Secure wooden stakes all around your plant. Then, place a large piece of plastic over the wooden stakes to cover your plant. Make sure plastic is in place, and won't blow away in heavy winds. Remove the plastic if temperatures get up above the freezing mark.
Shut off and repair any irrigation system before the first freeze is expected.
