Winter Gardening Tips
As we move into the colder winter months, there are a few things you should be sure to take care of in your yard or garden to ensure plant health and prevent any possible cold damage.
- Shut off your irrigation system. Obviously, if you have winter annuals planted, they will need adequate water throughout the winter. But there is no need to continue watering your turf, trees, or shrubs, as they are almost all dormant this time of year.
- Be sure to keep your lawn and bed areas clean and free of fallen leaves or debris. This will ensure good air and nutrient circulation for your turf and natural areas.
- Pruning. This is the time to do any and all clean-up or renewal pruning on trees and shrubs. While they are dormant, they will have adequate time to generate new growth in spring.
- Plant tulip bulbs. Tulips add striking color in spring to existing pansy and viola beds. Plant these bulbs in Dec-Jan, at a depth of about 6 inches either in between pansies/violas, or free-standing in their own bed. Come spring, you'll be glad you did.
- Mulching. Be sure to keep a healthy layer of mulch--either pine straw or pine bark around the base of your trees and shrubs. This will insulate the root systems and protect them from the low temperatures we sometimes experience in the winter months.