Winter Protection

Winter Protection - Young plants, or those in very exposed sites, can suffer from the combination of desiccating winter winds and sub zero temperatures. On sunny days when the wind is howling from the north and the ground is frozen solid, heathers, like many evergreens can suffer. Moisture is being robbed from the foliage and the frozen ground is making it difficult for the roots to take up any free water, and the foliage suffers from dehydration. Young plants that do not yet have established root systems need help in sites that offer no mercy. Mulching around the plants helps by keeping root zones protected. Frost can penetrate deep in our northern climates, and mulch will keep root zones protected from extreme temperature fluctuations by acting as a buffer.

Evergreen boughs placed over young plants like a tent will act as a wind and sun break. Pine needles, straw, or any other material can be used to completely cover the plants after the ground has frozen. One of the reasons we do not recommend pruning until spring is that the older stems will protect the inside of the plant through the winter. Again, these precautions are for young plants not yet established in the garden, or for very cold climates ( USDA zones 3&4 ) where the winters get nasty. Snow cover is ideal though unreliable in some areas, so recycle your and your neighbors' Christmas trees or take a walk in the woods to gather boughs and needles. We use our local dumps (landfills) as a valuable resource for these materials.