The good news is each day we are getting one to one-and-half minutes more daylight as the sun works its way back up north. It may not seem like a lot, but in a month that means 30 minutes of extra light each day.
Still, the reality is we are in the throes of a winter that, according to most forecasts, will be cooler with more precipitation. That being the case, here is my checklist of the top ten important things to do in our gardens this winter.
Help out our birds by consistently setting out clean feed in sheltered locations where they can easily escape predators. Use quality bird feed (black oil seed is among the best) and clean up any spillage to prevent attracting rodents.
The Anna’s hummingbird is out and about, so if you see them put out hummingbird feeders and keep them from freezing or at least thaw them out regularly.
Keeping your walkways safe by using salt to prevent slipping is very important but not always great for your plants and trees. Be sure to keep the salt away from your plants and if you have some spillage leach it out by watering with a hose during mild spells. It is harder to find and a little more expensive, but there are plant-friendly eco ice melters available.
Heavy snow can damage and even knock over evergreen trees, like hedging cedars, so it should be knocked off from underneath the branches using a broom. If a tree has been misshapened by the weight of snow, tie it up loosely to restore its proper form. This is also important for broadleaved plants like rhododendrons and evergreen magnolias.
You might want to check your semi-hardy tropical plants like bananas and palms. Keep the crowns of palms protected from freezing weather by using insulating materials wrapped inside plastic to protect them from severe cold. Make sure the leaves are off the hardy green banana (Musa basjoo) and the stems are well insulated. All other semi-hardy plants (zoned 7, 8 or 9) should be insulated and protected as well.
If you’ve stored bulbs in a cool uninsulated shed, take a minute to check them and make sure there’s no rotting taking place.
It sounds silly, but if you have broadleaved plants, like azaleas and camellias, under the eaves of your home where they are not getting any moisture, when it’s mild take a hose and soak the ground. In doing so you can prevent desiccation and bud drop before they bloom in spring.
Indoor plants often struggle at this time of year so remember the three golden rules: keep them near windows to optimize light, keep the temperature in your home down a little to improve humidity and water with warm water only when the plants are dry.
Remember: no repotting until mid-April and only then if the plants are truly rootbound.
