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Winter Garden Protection, Or
"We can't possibly have another winter like last year, can we? Because if we do, I'm moving to Tahiti."

In a lot of ways we Puget Sound gardeners are very lucky where winter is concerned. Our winters are usually mild, so the most we have to do is check water on our containers, do a little raking, and peruse all those garden magazines that piled up. However, every once in a while winter tries to smack us in the face. Before this happens, there are some simple things we can do to give our plants the best chance for survival.

First, water! This seems counterintuitive, but it is highly effective. It does not rain here as much as we think, and when it freezes, plants cannot replace the water they continue to lose. So... if we just go out and water them all thoroughly before it freezes, our plants will thank us for it.

Second, remember that plants in containers are at least two zones less hardy than in the ground. This means that we may have to move them up close to the house or even bring them into a garage or shed for a day or two. If they are too heavy or cumbersome to move, think about covering them with a frost blanket (available at Sky) or a sheet. Avoid plastic; it traps moisture and heat around the plant that can cause disease problems and foliar burns. Frost blankets work best if we secure them around the container or seal them to the ground. That gives plants the maximum degree of protection. Be sure to "burp" them at least every other day to release humidity.

Third, remember that we gardeners often like to push the envelope where hardiness is concerned. This means some things may die. It is a personal choice to replace them or not. Try to keep in mind that just because a plant is called a shrub or a perennial does not mean you cannot treat it as an annual. It all boils down to whether or not the plant gives you enough enjoyment to make it worthwhile replacing it now and again.

Lastly, snow and ice. These are usually not big issues as far as hardiness is concerned, because they have insulating value. Most damage from snow and ice is physical. So we need to pay attention to plants like Pyramidalis and Southern Magnolia and remove snow from them as soon as possible. If things ice up, there is not much we can do except to pay attention. If limbs start to droop we may need to put some kind of support under them to help carry the extra weight. Plants like New Zealand flax and ornamental grasses can be protected from being knocked down by snow by tying the blades together and then covering the plant with an upside down tomato cage covered in burlap.

Most winters we can just sit by the fire and enjoy a good book. But in those exceptional cases like the winter of 2008, those few simple steps can make it a much happier experience for our plants.

by Charlie Shull, WCN
Skylights Autumn 2009, Vol 24, No. 3

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