Winter is approaching and it is a good idea to prepare yourself and your gardens for inclement weather. The things to watch for are high winds and cold temperatures. Cold temperatures to be concerned about in our area is if the thermometer dips into the 20's F. and stays there for 2 days or more. Sustained cold is what is most likely to damage plants that are higher Zones such as 7 or 8. (Examples would be Phormium (Flax), Escallonia, some varieties of Euonymus). Most of your deciduous plants (lose foliage in Winter) are very hardy and you need not be concerned with those.

Protecting your plant material in the winter is important and not really all that much work if you follow a few simple steps.

¨ Mulching flower beds with compost or compost/bark mix can help keep plants warm and fed during the Winter. Perennials can often benefit from mulching. This can be done right over the top of the perennial. Do not mulch deeply too close to trees and shrubs, as they will suffocate. Place a thin layer close to tree or shrub and deeper 2-3" when you are 12-18" from plant.

¨ Remember that a well watered plant is less likely to freeze. Don't assume that just because it is winter you don't need to water. Often times we actually have very little precipitation.

¨ Wind, Snow or Ice can cause a lot of damage on the branches of trees and hedges. (Examples would be Thuja 'Emerald Green Arborvitae', Japanese Maples) Stringing twine loosely around the shrub or tree to offer support is a great way to prevent damage.

¨ During heavy snows take a broom out and knock off hedges and shrubs that are being splayed open. Snow is a great temperature insulator, but if it melts and turns to ice it will cause damage on your shrubs and lawns.

¨ Covering plants during excessive cold (20 degrees F.) is very useful. Covington Creek Nursery sells a frost cloth product by the linear foot. You can cover tender plants and tie twine around the base when temperatures dip and stay there. Remove when it warms back up into the 30's F.

¨ Remember that plants in a pot or container are 10 degrees colder than in the ground. Protect with blankets or frost cloth. Often times we use less hardy plants in our containers so be sure and protect them. You can also move containers closer to your house or put them in the garage or on your covered decks.

¨ Pottery protection is also required in the winter. Much of your pottery is probably freeze proof. This means that they should be fine in the winter. Care should be taken to empty standing water out of pottery and ensure that planted pots have proper drainage so rainwater does not accumulate.

These instructions should prevent winter damage and allow your gardens to flourish in the Spring!

Happy Gardening from Covington Creek Nursery

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