Winter Garden Tips

Snow may be on the way soon. Here are some garden tips to better prepare your yard:

1.   Do give tender plants extra TLC
After the ground freeze, apply winter mulch to grafted hybrid tea roses, boder-line hardy plants, or anything that may need a little help through winter.
If you still have your Christmas tree (yes, some people still do!), it will provide welcome shelter for the birds and create windbreaks for broadleaf evergreens.

2.  DO patrol for trespassing pests:
Some pests are still actiive this time of year. Moles in paticular can still be wrecking havoc on the yard. Set traps if activity is evident. A mole was destroying our lawn just a few weeks ago. Jim set a trap and caught it the other day!

3.  DO remove damaged branches when weather permits:
Snow and ice storms can take a heavy toll on even the hardiest, best-established trees and shrubs. A broken bough that's dangling over a sidewalk or driveway is a recipe for disaster, so when you can do so safely, cut it off.

4.  DO keep tabs on your flower beds:
Spring-flowering perennials and bulbs frequently sprout too early if your area experiences a short-lived midwinter warm spell. Be sure to remember where your plants are and, if necessary, cover the emerging tips with protection (weed-free straw or mulch). 

5.  DON"T salt before shoveling snow:
IF you live in the higher elevations where several inches of snow may fall, follow this tip.
Shovel first, salt second. This wise practice is better for plants, your wallet and even your waistline. Shoveling first keeps the snow you pile on nearby grass and perennials clean. Plus, it reduces the amount of salt needed to melt the snow. You'll even burn a few more calories!

6.  DON'T stop watering if the ground hasn't frozen:
All of your landscape plants-especially evergreens, and new flower, shrub and tree plantings-are better able to survive winter when properly watered before the ground freezes. This rule applies to container gardens too. Keep an eye on the weather forecast

7.  DON'T shake ice and snow off your plants:
Doing this can break branches, causing even more damage than the nasty weather has. Prevent splitting and broken branches on arborvitae and other upright evergreens by loosely tying their stems together with cloth strips or canvas strapping. If you're exposing berries for birds, brush off the snow gently.