The genetic ability of plants allows them to sense the atmospheric changes and adjust in advance of them. Warm winter temperatures do induce growth and flowering, cool temperatures slow down the growth rate and race to flower.
Do’s
1. Water the plant before the ground is frozen.
2. Know what works well for this season. Festive, colorful strains like Winterberry will work well.
3. Prune your plants when the branches are without leaves. Remove waterspouts, dead or crossing branches.
4. Use winter mulch when ground begins to freeze.
5. Tie down trunks and spray anti-transpirant to evergreen to prevent winter burn.
6. Adding compost up to 3″ thickness. This will supply organic nutrients to the soil.
Don’t
1. Garden plants go dormant and rest. Adding Fertilizer is like forcing them to start new growth before the ground warms in the spring. This interrupts this period when they are rejuvenating and ice storms and temperatures below freezing or even hard frosts will kill tender new growth.
2. Do not follow your regular watering cycle. During dry periods when the ground isn’t frozen or covered with snow, a once-a-week deep watering is beneficial. New plantings especially need to be watered in.
3. Worry about bulb foliage. Leaves of daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs should be just fine during temperature dips.
Keep in mind to evaluate your garden the previous year and decide the changes needed. Its always easy to draw garden plans on paper.
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