43 Bog Road, Stratford, New Hampshire 03590, United States
Garden Tips
Do your shrubs need winter coats?
It’s been a mild start to winter up here in Zone 4. I even saw a few confused pansies poking their heads up. We know better; snow and winds are on their way. Native trees and shrubs are built for the weather which is why we focus on them in our landscape designs. We also take care to site your plants to prevent wind damage, sun scald, and frost cracking. But specimen plantings in your landscape need protection from the elements to survive and look their best, especially if this is their first winter.
Here are the essentials for winter care:
1. Fall watering: It’s not too late to give your woody plants enough water to seep down 8-10” weekly until the ground freezes thoroughly.
2. Wind Protection: Wind and even sun dry out your broadleaf shrubs because they lose water and can’t take it in from the frozen soil. You can’t stop this process but you can provide a layer of protection with a fabric wrap made of burlap or canvas. Choose a material that can breathe. (NOT black plastic: does more harm than good). Circle your plant loosely and support it with stakes if needed. Bonus: deer might be discouraged from snacking.
3. Mulch: Snow is the best insulator, but 2 inches of straw, evergreen boughs, or chip mulch are great options. Just make sure you keep your mulch layer away from the trunk of your tree or shrub.
4. Deer: A nice high fence is impractical for most of us. You can experiment with the various repellants out there but a hungry deer may just ignore them. A loose wrapping of burlap will protect the tasty bark on young trees. For smaller plants, several layers of fine mesh netting can discourage deer who don’t like the feel of the netting on their noses.
Give us a call at 603-631-7038 or contact us here with questions about your winter landscape. Don’t forget that we provide year-round maintenance services for new or existing landscapes.
