Wednesday, 30 September 2009 18:18
Ornamental plants are often severely damages by drought during our dry falls. Sudden changes in temperature can freeze the ground solid thus causing additional damage to our plant life if the soil is dry.
It is important that watering is continued to maintain sufficient moisture in the soil during the fall. Soak the soil thoroughly before winter. The best method of watering is by using a soaker attachment, which applies water slowly, and allows the water to soak the area for two to three hours. The original root care area must receive adequate water during the first year. Evergreens, especially the broadleaf varieties, are more subject to fall and winter injury by drought and should be checked more frequently and soaked before they get dry.
After dormancy, several other things should be done to benefit plants. Young tree trunks that haven’t established their adult bar, usually those under 4 inch caliper, should be wrapped with tree wrap us to the lower branches to protect them from winter sun scalding. It is beneficial to tie large shrubs and upright junipers to ward off snow damage by wrapping with several wraps of stout cord NOT PULLED TOO TIGHTLY. In the more exposed regions, winter wind protection for young evergreens is recommended. This can be done by rigidly installing a short length of burlap-covered snow fence a foot from the plant on the windward side. Roses should be mounded with clean garden soil 6-10 inches and soaked deeply before frost.
