Garden Winterization and Seasonal Plant Protection Study Notes

Garden Winterization and Seasonal Plant Protection

Overview of Processes for Garden Winterization and Seasonal Plant Protection

• Identification of winter clean-up practices
• Removal of annuals
• Preparation of perennials
• Identification of protection methods
  • Techniques: Wrapping, screening, tying
  • Rodent and wildlife protection
• Identification of materials used for seasonal protection

Identify Winter Clean-up Practices

Definition of Annuals

• An annual is defined as a plant that completes its entire life cycle within a single season.
• Life Cycle Stages:
  • Goes from seed to vegetative growth (green leaves)
  • Produces flowers
  • Produces seeds to ensure species continuation
• Annuals require replanting each year.
• Example species include:
  • Foxtail Amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus)
  • Known commonly as “Love Lies Bleeding.”

Removal of Annuals and Clean-up Steps for Removal of Annuals in the Fall

1. Let the soil dry out for approximately one week to facilitate easier extraction of annuals.
2. Harvest any seeds if desired, using seeds from mature and healthy plants.
3. Remove the entire plants along with their roots; a shovel or garden fork may be needed for complete root removal.
4. Compost any healthy plants that do not exhibit disease or pest issues.
5. Dispose of plants with pests or diseases separately in the trash to prevent overwintering of insects and spores that could infect next year's garden.
6. Clear any additional leaves, stems, and twigs, as they can harbor insects or diseases during winter.
7. Consider the balance between cleaning debris and leaving some vegetative material in the garden to support overwintering beneficial insects.
8. Supplement soil with compost or rotted manure to improve soil health.
9. Sanitize, repair, and sharpen tools in preparation for the next growing season.

Preparation of Perennials for Winter and Clean-up

Definition of Perennials

• A perennial is a plant that grows from a crown and dies down to the ground in late fall but regrows from the same crown in spring.
• Perennials typically live for three or more years, bloom, and produce seeds annually.

Preparation Steps for Perennials for Winter

1. Develop an action plan detailing the care needs of each plant.
2. Identify tender versus hardy perennials.
3. Determine which plants are unhealthy and need removal; the healthy ones that may require dividing or replacing.
4. Cut most perennials back to about 2–3 inches above ground, ensuring not to cut tree peonies and evergreen perennials (e.g., hellebores or certain varieties of sedum).
5. Dispose of any diseased or pest-infested materials by throwing them away; do not compost infected materials.
6. Divide and transplant spring-flowering perennials in fall, and fall-blooming perennials in spring, ensuring they are replanted at the same height.
7. Deep-water plants, especially evergreens, until soil temperatures freeze; moist soil retains heat better than dry soil.
8. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to insulate roots from temperature fluctuations and prevent frost heave.
9. Cover tender perennials with burlap, straw, or frost blankets for extra protection.
10. In cold regions, consider digging up tender perennials for overwintering indoors in pots or as dormant bare roots.

Winter Clean-Up Practices Considerations

No Till Movement

• Involves avoiding disturbance to soil structure by not digging.
• Considerations include:
  • Leaving perennials uncut for insect overwintering or egg-laying.
  • Not raking leaves from gardens to allow insects to use them for protection.
• Complete winterization procedures including:
  • Care for plants, containers, and drain hoses.
  • Clean garden tools and sharpen them; apply linseed oil to wooden tool handles for protection.
  • Paint small hand tool handles red for visibility and ease of locating next planting season.

Plants and Ontario Winters

• Many plants may die if winter temperatures drop below their tolerance.
• Hardy plants can also suffer from severe weather.
• Early-season cold snaps can damage woody plants that have not yet hardened off.
• Cold, dry winds can dry out needles or leaves, particularly for conifers or broad-leaved evergreens.
• Warm spells during winter can lead to damage as moisture evaporates from transpiring leaves while roots remain frozen.

Specific Considerations for Hardiness

• Most hardy perennials survive winter well if protected by snow.
• Lack of snow exposes plants to severe cold and risks death, especially for marginally hardy plants.
• Poor drainage in soil can lead to crown rot in hardy perennials.
• Frost heave caused by freeze-thaw cycles can displace plant roots.
• Younger plants, particularly trees and shrubs, are more susceptible to cold damage until they mature.

Dormancy and Winter Plants

• Deciduous plants enter dormancy due to cooler daytime temperatures and shorter daylight hours.
• Warming temperatures and longer daylight hours signal end of dormancy.
• Late cold fronts can damage flower buds and leaves, often following a late-season snowstorm.

Methods of Winter Protection

1. Protect plants from:
   • Wind exposure
   • Snow and ice damage
   • Salt damage
2. Seasonal protection methods include:
   • Anti-desiccants to minimize water loss
   • Burlap wrapping for wind protection
   • Binding with twine for gentle support
   • Insulating materials such as mulch, leaves, and straw

Anti-desiccants

• Winter desiccation occurs when water loss from foliage exceeds uptake by roots.
• Photosynthesis slows during winter, yet evergreens continue to transpire.

Materials for Protection: Understanding Winter Plant Injuries

• Broad-leaved evergreens do not discard all their leaves/needles annually, maintaining some level of activity.
• Established evergreen roots can access moisture even in winter, below the frost line (approximately 4 feet).
• Windy locations demand wrapping of evergreens in burlap for winter protection.

Treatment of Winter Plant Injuries

• Sun scald and desiccation occur in plants due to exposure to weather that causes tissue burn and consequent dieback.
• Saltwater spray from de-icing roads can travel 30 feet or more and contaminate soil, potentially leading to root damage.
• Damage appears as reddening of conifer needles, burning of broadleaf evergreen leaves and can lead to twig dieback and abnormal growth (witch’s brooms) during warmer seasons.

Frost Cracks and Sunscald

• Frost cracks appear on the south/southwest sides of trees with thin bark during fluctuating winter temperatures.
• To prevent, wrap tree trunks with insulation or use whitewash to reflect sunlight.
• Loose bark can be cut carefully to help the tree compartmentalize and reduce risk of damage.

Rodent and Wildlife Damage

• Mice and other rodents may girdle tree trunks, especially at ground level.
• Installing white plastic wraps on trunks to a height above potential snow cover is important to deter damage.
• Use of chicken wire cages and repellents (such as SKOOT) can prevent damage from rabbits and deer.

Marginally Hardy Plant Considerations

• Marginally hardy plants only survive in milder climates or with care strategies.
• Plants that require special attention include tender perennials and bulbs (e.g., fuchsias, dahlias).
• Lifting and potting methods for winter storage include:
  • Ensuring good drainage
  • Trimming roots and foliage
  • Watering every two weeks to maintain moisture levels.

Summary of Plant Protection Techniques

Wrapping Techniques

• Protecting plants from wind and salting involves wrapping vulnerable areas with various materials.
• Key techniques include:
  • Staking and wrapping with burlap to shield from elements.
  • Tying branches to prevent breakage by snow or ice loads.

Mulching and Mounding

• Effective techniques for protecting roots from frost heave include:
  • Applying a thick layer of mulch (up to 6 inches) after the ground has frozen.
  • Mounding to protect graft unions and plant crowns, particularly for hybrid roses and other delicate varieties.

Final Plant Protection Checklist

• Protect against cold air and winds, salt damage, and rodents.
• Recommended that any plants newly planted or placed close to salted areas are observed closely as winter progresses.
• Consider the unique needs of marginally hardy plants and use protective measures accordingly.