green-bloom-logo
Menu menu

How to Maintain Your Garden in the Winter

lawn-flowerThere is something poetic about nature! And it’s not just the colorful flowers and the green valleys which bring elegance in the world. Look at your back yard! It is ready to respond to all weather conditions with one exception. There are plants that are able to withstand hot climates and others which can flourish during the winter. But when the freezing Toronto days arrive and the garden is covered by the white beautiful blanket of snow, you keep wondering how to take care of your private landscaping in Toronto.

Snow can be a friend of your landscape

Don’t let snow scare you! As a matter of fact, it can protect your plants since it acts as an insulator. By embracing and covering the lawn and bushes, snow protects them from the extreme temperatures and fierce winds. It also protects them from temperature fluctuations and provides moisture.

Let us dig a bit deeper in the effects of weather on your landscaping. When it comes to winter temperatures, plants stop growing. When dormant, they are able to withstand the cold weather. And that’s why preparing the garden to go to bed with the right garden maintenance is vital.

Plants must have enough moisture

Temperature fluctuations can really harm plants. When the days are warm and thesnow shoveling nights are freezing, plants get injured. But snow can protect them. It provides protection to the evergreens since wind can dry them out. It removes moisture and plants might die from drought-stress. Watering plants during the winter is not a good idea in regions with high precipitation. Excessive water will rot the roots. But you can distribute snow so that all plants will have the required winter moisture. Plants hidden under eaves are often not covered with snow. So after snow removal, you can use some snow to cover them. Helping plants to maintain enough moisture throughout the winter is very important. But de-icing salts will also damage your plants. So if snow contains de-icing salts, don’t shovel it on your landscape plants.

How to protect plants from frost

Frost can damage the cell wall of your plants. And the effects of frost are worse during some sunny mornings since they abruptly defrost.  So if you see that the weather gets worse, move tender plants somewhere sheltered whether it will be closer to the house wall or under a tree. And don’t prune them to protect their central crown. But the maintenance of evergreens also depends on their type. Mulch often helps because it provides insulation and thereby protection from frost while it will enhance their moisture. If you can’t move the evergreens because they are planted in the ground, just cover them.

Early winter garden maintenance is vital

Importance of Landscaping Before Winter ComesSnow can cause problems when accumulated on tree branches, which can break under the heavy weight. That’s why trimming in the fall is important.

Since the best cure is always prevention, focus on pre- or early winter property maintenance. Some plants will be better protected from frost if they are covered with fabric. At the end of the day, Mother Nature cannot be entirely controlled. But although it is in charge, you can still follow weather broadcasts and take action with landscaping maintenance before the freezing days arrive.