Here in the Pacific Northwest, our seasons can typically be
described quite simply: mild. That said, in the last two weeks our area has seen
some of the coldest weather in three years, so if you’re wondering what steps
you can take to protect your plants from winter damage, here are a few tips.
First off, let me preface this by noting that while this
most recent cold weather is past, January is typically when we get the worst
winter weather, so it’s never too late to take steps to protect your plants.
In recent years, container gardening has surged in
popularity. While summer is the most common time of year for container
gardening, you may still have some pots of winter pansies, dwarf evergreens or
other plants of seasonal interest outdoors. If you haven’t yet offered them any
protection for winter, keep in mind that any plant with its roots
aboveground—as with anything in a container—is more susceptible to freeze
damage. While night frosts merit little concern, days of subfreezing weather
pose a serious threat to potted plants.
To protect container gardens from damage, wrap pots in bubble
wrap and cover the top with a layer or two of garbage bags. Keep in mind that
creating a tent over your plants is equivalent to building a small greenhouse,
so remove the tent as soon as the weather warms up.
A second step you can take is to move containers indoors
during bad weather, preferably to an unheated garage. Avoid moving containers
into a heated space; doing so may make your plants think spring has arrived and
want to start growing.
If you don’t have an unheated indoor space readily available
for your containers, move your pots into a sheltered, south- or west-facing
side of the house. With the sun so low in the sky this time of year, utilizing
a south or west exposure will keep your pots warmer and can also protect them
from wind damage.
Speaking of wind, if you spent anytime outside during the
recent winter weather, you know that the wind itself was as unbearable as the
frigid temperatures. For plants, wind poses two major threats: desiccation and
the potential to break branches.
First, wind can quickly desiccate—dry out—plants. In
subfreezing weather you may not be able to easily keep your plants watered, but
as soon as the temperatures climb above freezing, get to watering, containers
especially. Rain or melting snow will usually take care of the task for you,
but in the event we go from cold sun to less-cold sun (it’s December—forget
about warm sun!), be prepared to water.
Secondly, the strong
gusts of a winter windstorm can easily snap branches on delicate or
cold-brittle plants. If it’s either impractical or impossible to move or stake
a plant susceptible to wind damage, grab a pruner and get to work. While fresh
wounds on a plant will themselves be at risk for winter damage, it’s better you
prune a plant and save it than let a gust of wind prune it for you and kill it.
Finally, keep in mind that plants are resilient. If a typically-hardy
plant in your yard looks wilted, it’s likely a natural defense against cold,
dry weather; expect it to bounce back as soon as warmer, wetter weather
arrives. Winter cold can be hard on plants, but it’s great for killing insects
and pushing plants into much-needed dormancy, so take what steps you need to
protect your plants and learn to appreciate the benefits of another
season.
