Protecting Your Garden During the Winter

Snowwhite and the seven dwarfs are already headed for storage for winter. Can statutes suffer winter damage? Depends on the material used to create them. Concrete isn’t a problem but certain kind of ceramics, porcelain, vinyl and even plastic can erode in winter conditions.

It began as Patty's Porch which was dedicated to my late wife Patty who spent 40 years cultivating a backyard garden. The porch was built with large sliding windows to let her survey her work. My recent marriage to Gert Middlebrook of Burlington, VT and her interest in gardening changed the dimension of the area and gave the garden a new direction. Gert began saving a number of rose plants, pruning those that could be saved after two years of overgrowth and added hydrangea and other flowers to revitalize the backyard plot. Join Gert as she plans for her 1st spring continuing her gardening after a typical New York winter. If you have comments or thoughts send them to me at Jbehrens13323@gmail.com.

Are there do's and don'ts in protecting your garden during the winter?

Oh yes, 99% of the gardeners I talked to said with a smile. "You can't close your eyes to the affect of much colder weather, snow, debris, rodents and other hazards that come from winter months," said an older resident of Central New York.

What can we do with leaves? Do we rake them off and keep the garden free from them or are they the compost that gardens thrive on?

A thick layer of fallen leaves can and will deprive the garden of one essential element; sunshine. We know that even in the tundra country of upstate New York where the sun is seen less than other regions, it does shine from time to time. Consequently, one value of raking most leaves off your garden is to give it the chance to replenish itself from the sun. Too many leaves create excessive shade and that affects the grass and plant life. On the other hand, Gert says, leaves are an important part of winter protection for roses and an appropriate amount will give the garden what it needs.

What about pine needles?

They can suffocate a garden. They contain acid which affects the pH level and most experienced growers say they should be removed. A good thing to remember is that mulch isn't bad for a garden…but too much is. General rule: a layer of leaves thicker than an inch or two can be too much. Otherwise, it will retain too much water and over time it can cause rotting.

Should you cut back plants before the first frost?

Any perennial that has translucent leaves or very yellow stems and leaves probably should be cut back. Most gardeners I talked with said they cut back to within a few inches of the ground to ensure that when spring arrives you won't get gray mold. It's wise to cut the seed heads now and then cut to the ground.

How do you discourage pests from eating bulbs and nesting where you don't want them? No guaranteed solution here but one gardener said he uses crushed oyster shells in the soil which small rodents like chipmunks and others do not like to walk on or deal with around bulbs.

Finally, if you are nervous about plants surviving...the ultimate answer is to treat your special and sensitive plants like house plants. Put them in a cool basement or garage where enough warmth will keep them over the winter months. Pot the plants in containers and make sure you water them weekly.

Gardening, obviously, takes time and nurturing. But that's what causes most of us to be interested each year.

Send your comments to Jbehrens13323@gmail.com.