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Shield Your Trees and Shrubs

Cold winter winds and heavy snow can take a toll on your trees and shrubs. To protect them:

• Wrap young trees: Use tree wrap or burlap to shield the bark of younger trees, especially fruit trees, from splitting caused by freezing and thawing.
• Cover delicate shrubs: Shrubs like boxwoods and rhododendrons can benefit from being covered with burlap. This protects them from winter burn and frost damage.
• Water deeply: Before the ground freezes, give your shrubs and trees a deep watering. This ensures their roots have enough moisture to survive the winter months.

Take Care of Your Soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of a great garden, so it’s important to protect it during winter:

• Add compost: Before the snow flies, spread a layer of compost over your garden beds. This will enrich the soil with nutrients that can break down over winter, giving you a head start in the spring.
• Consider a cover crop: Planting a cover crop like winter rye in your vegetable garden can prevent soil erosion, improve soil structure, and add organic matter. This is especially helpful in Buffalo, where snow and ice can be hard on exposed soil.

Bring in Your Potted Plants

Don’t forget about any potted plants you may have outside. Many perennials and tender plants like herbs won’t survive the cold temperatures.

• Move them indoors: Bring potted plants indoors before frost arrives to extend their life. If space is an issue, move them to a sheltered spot like a garage or porch for the winter.
• Check for pests: Before bringing them in, inspect your plants for any pests that might hitch a ride indoors.

Be sure to check out part one and part three of this series

Stop in anytime to ask us for more details.