How to Protect your Landscape investment for Winter

Protecting your Landscape investment for Winter

You've spent your time and money to get it just right, now it's time to ensure the success of your living investment with a few important easy steps.

Trees and Shrubs

The leaves are starting to fall and it is the perfect time to prune your deciduous trees and shrubs. As plants go dormant and the sap flows back into the roots for the winter, the stress of growing has subsided and your plant investments are less likely to be damaged by a hardy fall pruning. Remember to water your trees and woody shrubs well before frost as this will help them stay hydrated throughout the winter months.

Evergreens

Most evergreens purchased at a nursery or garden centre in Canada are completely hardy and need no additional winter protection. Alberta Spruce and certain types of cedar are more sensitive to wind, sunburn and salt spray from roadways. Wrapping these tender plants in late December with landscape burlap or other breathable material (not plastic), will help shade them from harsh winter conditions. 

If you have recently planted upright evergreens (Emerald Cedars, DeGroot Spire, Skyrocket Juniper, etc.) that have not yet developed a deep root system, you may want to wrap these also to keep them healthy and stress free from sunburn and dehydration. Watering well and mulching around the roots with a 3-4" blanket at the base of all your evergreens will help ensure their success and protect your investment.

Perennial Gardens

They make light work and produce quite a show all season long, so tuck your perennials in well before winter and you will be rewarded with another great show year after year.

Prune the top growth of all perennials (with the exception of grasses and such that provice winter interest) close to root or ground level. Most damage to perennials in winter months is caused by insects wintering in decaying leaves. Lightly turn the soil and top dress with a sandy layer or a fine shredded mulch. 

Ensure the gardens are able to drain after heavy autumn rains, as the frozen water can have negative effects on many plants (I just mulch like crazy).

Roses

People always ask me what to do with roses. The easiest routine is this: 

1. Cut roses back to 1.5 feet (knee height) and make sure they are naked (no leaves, buds or tender new growth.

2. Apply a light dusting of fungiside to kill of any spores that may develope over winter.

3. Mound clean soil (not organic matter) up half way up entire plant (then I mulch like crazy...like I always do). If you don't like mulch you can use straw, leaves or a rose collar/cone, this will help to keep the soil from washing away.

- Climbing variety

Climbing roses need only be pruned gently, not like other types. Remove frozen buds and tender growth tips. Wrap in burlap and tie together. Mound soil around base as with other varieties.

- Shrub variety

Shrub roses do not need tending before winter, but it is a good time in the fall to do any size management pruning. This type of rose is very hardy (but I still mulch like crazy).

Lawns

For the last "hoorah", mow your lawn in early November very close to the ground and mulch or remove clippings to prevent fungus from destroying the roots. Fertilize your sodded areas with a winterizing fertilizer before mid November to ensure a healthy lawn in the spring.