Guarding your garden: Essential winter protection tips

Winter is an exceptionally tough period for garden plants. Low temperatures, frosty winds, and lack of moisture can mean many plants do not survive until spring. Frost can damage roots and shoots, leading to plant death. Additionally, in winter, plants become less resistant to diseases and pests.

Protection against winter pests is as important as protection from frost. Some insects, such as aphids, can survive as eggs in the soil or on plants, ready to attack in spring. Proper protection of plants for the winter helps reduce the risk of pest infestations and the development of fungal diseases, which can be challenging to manage later.

While many people protect their plants right after the end of the season, it is advisable to delay this until the first frosts. Wrapping plants too early can have adverse effects. Cold temperatures help plants harden off and prepare for the start of winter.

The basic materials needed for plant protection include garden fleece, straw, bark, sawdust, and protective films. Garden fleece is particularly recommended for protecting shoots and leaves because it allows airflow and prevents sunscald. Bark and sawdust are effective materials for mounding around the base of plants, protecting roots from freezing.

When protecting plants, it is advisable to start with mounding the base of the plant. For example, hydrangeas or roses can be protected by piling bark or sawdust around them, which shields their roots from low temperatures. Then you can proceed to wrap the plants with garden fleece, remembering not to do it too tightly. It is important that the material fits snugly to the plant but still allows airflow.

How to avoid common mistakes when protecting plants?

One of the most common mistakes made by gardeners is protecting plants for winter either too early or too late. Wrapping plants too early can lead to overheating and inadequate hardening, increasing the risk of freezing. The best time to secure plants is just after the first frost when plant diseases are no longer active, and plants have undergone the hardening process.

On the other hand, protecting plants too late exposes them to the first severe frosts, which can damage roots and shoots. Therefore, monitoring the weather forecasts and securing the plants at the appropriate time is important.

Another frequent mistake is choosing the wrong protective materials. Not all materials are suitable for protecting plants. For instance, plastic film can cause plants to scorch and rot due to a lack of air circulation. Using breathable materials such as garden fleece, straw, bark, or sawdust is recommended, which effectively protect against frost without blocking airflow.

Let us remember that each plant has its specific requirements, so it's beneficial to adapt protection methods to particular species. This way, our plants will remain healthy and bloom abundantly in the next season.