HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -
With a freeze warning
looming over the Midstate, there may be some need to worry about your outdoor
plants that you've worked so hard to keep alive. There are a few simple tips
and tricks that can greatly increase the chances of seeing them bloom once
again.
One thing to remember is
that if a plant is considered an "annual" it will die off regardless.
A "perennial" plant however can be kept alive for many years if taken
care of properly, so perennials will be our focus.
One preventative action
you may want to consider is fertilizing and watering your plant before the cold
winter season fully sets in. Livewellnetwork.com says feeding
your plant and making sure it is sufficiently nourished can ensure that it will
stay healthy throughout the winter, when it is likely to receive less nutrients
than usual.
Treat your plants like a
hibernating animal, says agriculture expert David Thayer. He recommends
that you make sure your plants have plenty of food for the harsh cold months.
Along with providing nutrients to your plants, it's a smart idea to protect
their base and roots with a hefty layer of mulch.
Spreading mulch helps to
insulate the plant's root system, conserve its moisture and keep out the
damaging frost, which can devastate your floral friends. Any type of mulch will
do, most cost between $15-$20 per cubic yard.
Snow and frost aren't
the only things to worry about during the winter months. The cold, blistering
wind can decimate an entire garden in a short amount of time so it's a good
idea to put up some sort of wind-block such as a wall or fence, says
Thayer. Still, you will want to make sure that the plant can still receive
sunlight.
A common, cheap and
simple solution to prevent leaf burn is to cover your plants with
burlap, according to ehow.com. To do this, you need to drive
four stakes into the ground around the plant, creating a square. Test the
strength of the stakes to ensure that they have been driven deep enough into
the ground. Secure the burlap to the stakes using twine and be sure that the
burlap is at least 6 inches above the plant.
If you use these tips and prepare for the winter season as soon as possible,
you can greatly increase the life span of your plants, trees and shrubs.
Oliver Thayer
contributed to this report.
