TOP RECOMMENDED WINTER GARDENING TIPS TO FOLLOW

A garden is a great addition to a home and most people do not regret planting one in their yard. While it is a fun hobby and an excellent way to enjoy healthy and fresh fruits and vegetables, it is also a lot of hard work. It also requires a person to plan and take a few steps to make sure the plants stay healthy throughout the year. With that being said, a person with a garden should follow these Top 10 Winter Gardening Tips as this will help the plants live longer and the garden flourish.

1. MULCH
During the cold and inclement winter months, plants will have a hard time avoiding the elements. When this happens, depending on the variety, they will have a harder time recovering in the spring. To protect plants and keep everything warm, a gardener should add mulch and place it under and around the plants. This will help keep the root temperature stable which will ensure that the plant does not succumb to the elements. Now, when placing the mulch around the garden, a person should do it in early December as this will allow it to settle in and start protecting the plants before a significant cold snaps hits.

2. COMPOST
Some people neglect their garden in the winter as they feel the plants do not require any protection or care. This could not be further from the truth, and a serious gardener who wants his or her plants to thrive should add compost. When adding this at the right time, it will supply nutrients to the soil and the plants will grow faster and not succumb to the elements. Ideally, when adding the compost, a person should only put about three inches worth around the plants as it will still allow them to breathe and grow.

3. WATER
Before a freeze, a person should water their plants, especially annuals and potted plants. This will help the plants as the roots will not freeze as the water will not reach that area. Of course, when doing this, a person must make sure to water their roots and above ground shoots. When doing this ahead of a cold storm, a person can protect their plants, and they will look good throughout the winter.

4. EXTRA PROTECTION
A person with container plants should cover them with a frost cloth or protective blanket. To keep potted plants warm, a person can also set them near the foundation of the house as it is warmer than the rest of the yard. However, during severe storms, a gardener should bring his or her vulnerable plants inside the house or garage. Ideally, when following this tip, a homeowner would watch the weather forecast so he or she can bring in the plants before the storm hits as it will go a long way in protecting the delicate leaves and roots of a plant.

5. CONTINUE
If the ground is soft enough to dig a big hole, a gardener should continue to plant. This will allow a person to continue to improve the yard and complete the job before the spring. This is beneficial, especially in climates where it does not get extremely cold. With that being said, it may not work for gardeners in the northern states. However, people living in the south or on the west coast can, with ease, put in new items in their garden most of the year.

6. ANIMALS
In some areas of the country, animals will try to eat a plant as they will have no other choice. Now, this is not usually problematic for a gardener living in an urban environment, but it will come up when a person lives in the country. To prevent this and protect the plants, a gardener must take steps to protect the plants by placing a barrier around the edge of the garden. Remember, animals, in the colder months, will snap up plants and eat them.

7. LOCATION
When planting right before the cold months, a person should try to place their plants facing the north. When exposed to the north, they will receive more sunlight and a greater temperature variation. For a new plant, this is crucial as it will sustain less damage and thrive when it gets enough sunlight. This is one of the most important winter gardening tips to follow, and it is easy to do so as most experienced gardeners know where the plants should face.

8. CAREFUL
When placing salt or other substances on the driveway or street, a gardener should exercise caution. With salts from the road seeping into the garden, plants will suffer as it will create a bad PH balance. To prevent this, when laying salt on the driveway, a homeowner should do it slowly and methodically when around the garden or plants. When protecting the winter landscaping with this tip, a gardener can avoid a serious problem on his or her hands.

9. CHOOSE CAREFULLY
When planting in, and right before, the winter, a person should know which plants will thrive. This is a great idea as some plants will do poorly in the winter while others will continue to grow. Now, to understand which plants work, a person will have to do some research as it varies depending in the regions of the world. However, when following this tip, a person can have a successful winter landscaping setup.

10. FERTILIZE OFTEN
In the winter, plants will suffer from the elements. While this is hard to prevent, a person can fertilize the plants regularly to give them a fighting chance. With the right fertilizer, a person can strengthen the plants. Ideally, when doing this, a gardener should do it often as the plants will need all the help they can get. This is one of the most important winter gardening ideas a person should follow as it is difficult for some shrubs to survive without adequate nutrients and care.