8 Steps For Winter Plant Protection
- Water shrubs throughout the fall and up until the ground freezes.
- Spread 4 inches of bark mulch or ground-up leaves around base of shrub to insulate the ground.
- Create a wind barrier by driving wooden stakes into ground around the shrub, then wrapping burlap around the stakes; staple burlap to the stakes.
How to wrap a shrub for winter?
- If you have any plants in containers that are too big and heavy to move or you don’t have a sheltered location to put them in, you can cover them ...
- Next to a south- or west-facing wall is ideal because these walls absorb heat in the day and radiate it at night.
- You can also use rock formations or hedges as shelter for your potted plants.
How to protect shrubs from winter damage?
There are three main options for a shrub shelter:
- Build a shrub shelter out of natural materials.
- Build an A-frame (also known as a "snow frame") out of store-bought lumber.
- Buy a snow frame, which are available at some hardware stores.
Should plants be wrapped in winter?
Winter Protection for Plants – Why do it?
- Low Temperatures. Every plant has a minimum temperature above which they can survive on their own. ...
- Moisture Loss. When people talk about winter protection most do not think about water as a main factor, but water loss is probably a bigger concern for most plants than ...
- Animals. ...
- Ice Damage. ...
How to burlap shrubs for winter?
Steps:
- Water shrubs throughout the fall and up until the ground freezes.
- Spread 4 inches of bark mulch or ground-up leaves around base of shrub to insulate the ground.
- Create a wind barrier by driving wooden stakes into ground around the shrub, then wrapping burlap around the stakes; staple burlap to the stakes.
Winter Challenges
Consider that mature, hardy shrubs for your region and deciduous shrubs that lose their leaves in the winter need little extra protection besides brushing heavy snow off the branches. As for young shrubs and trees, here are the winter challenges you can combat by wrapping them in the winter:
Tools & Materials Needed to Wrap a Shrub
Before getting started, gather the tools and materials you need to protect your shrubs in the winter:
How to Wrap a Shrub for Winter
You can employ various techniques to wrap and protect conifer and broadleaf evergreen shrubs in the winter. Here’s what we recommend:
Get Help Winterizing Your Garden
Need more help winterizing your yard? The Grounds Guys® are on it. We can assist with shrub protection, leaf removal, pruning, fertilizing, and much more. We also offer snow removal services to save your back when the next blizzard hits. To learn more, or to schedule services, please call us today and request your free job estimate.
Quick facts
Minnesota's harsh climate can cause severe damage to landscape plants.
Cold damage
A majority of Minnesota is located in USDA cold hardiness zones 3 (-40 degrees F) and 4 (-30 degrees F)
Root injury
Roots do not become dormant in the winter as quickly as stems, branches and buds, and roots are less hardy than stems.
Reducing animal damage on trees and shrubs
Mice, rabbits, voles and deer can all cause severe damage to plants in the winter by feeding on twigs, bark, leaves and stems. They can eat shrubs to the ground and also girdle trees and shrubs by chewing through the bark.
1. Set the stage prior to the cold snap
The first step in protecting plants from winter damage is to properly irrigate before the first hard freeze. While it is a good idea to hold back on water during autumn to allow plants to harden-off for winter, it is essential for shrubs to enter winter with adequate soil moisture.
3. When freezing temperatures arrive, take protective measures
Despite our best efforts to select climate-appropriate plant material for our gardens, unexpected weather events will inevitably occur. When the weatherman warns of unusually cold temperatures, take the time to protect the shrubs in your landscape as well as the rest of your home.
4. When planting, plan ahead to shelter plants
Damage is normally worst on the side of the plant facing the wind or sun. In particular, intense winter sun causes scorching on the south- and west-facing sides of the shrub. When planting new shrubs, place sensitive species in locations sheltered from prevailing winds and direct winter sun.
What plants need to be covered in winter?
Though there are some best plants for winter gardening, not all plants are as hardy. Here are some of the plants, trees and shrubs that need a little more insulation, covering, or attention during the winter months:
When should you cover plants in cold weather?
As a gardener who worked so hard on your beautiful garden, it is important to know when you need to take steps to preserve perennials and harvest annuals so the cold weather will not destroy them.
How do I protect plants in the winter?
Getting the right container is the first step in protecting plants in winter. Fiberglass is the best material for plant protection. Garden centers will attest to that, they are some of our biggest customers of fiberglass planters!
What do you cover plants with in the winter?
You can cover your plants in burlap to allow moisture in but keep the harsh elements, like wind, out. Other options include adding 3-4 inches of leaves or a layer of mulch around your plant’s base; this will help moderate the soil’s temperature.
Does burlap protect plants from frost?
Yes. Make sure you cover your plant so that the burlap touches the soil.
When should I wrap my plants for winter?
This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook suggests to start wrapping your plants in November.
Should you cover shrubs in winter?
Yes. Shield them by hammering 1x stakes into the ground to make a frame, then wrap with burlap and staple the material to the stakes. (Yellow-leafed evergreens, especially, may need to be covered for the first three years of their lives.)
Is Covering Plants in Cold Weather Really Necessary?
Frost covering for many plants is of limited use, and the best way to protect plants, according to horticulturalists at University of Georgia Extension, is to ensure your plants are properly watered, fed and protected from pests during the spring and summer.
Types of Winter Covering for Plants
Here are the most common plant coverings for protecting plants in cold weather or frosts.
Winter Protection for Plants
One of the easiest and most effective ways to protect sensitive plants is by mulching. Mulching with an organic material will also help enhance the soil as the mulch decomposes and releases nutrients to the earth. In autumn, pull back old mulches from the base of plants and spread a new 3 inch (8 cm.) layer around them out to the drip line.
How to Protect Plants from Freezing
Seasoned gardeners know their zones and are prepared with materials to protect plants from freezing. Cold weather plant protection can be as simple as a blanket. Have on hand frost barrier fabric for fruit trees in spring. A swath of burlap is also useful to cover plants in the event of a freeze.
