It's inevitable, and we prepare as much as possible - we break out our sweaters, shake out our winter coats, wax the skis and sharpen the ice skates.
We must realize that our outdoor plants, trees and shrubs will experience bitter weather, too. Therefore, it is important to take the time to winterize our yards.
Tip 2: Mulch planting beds with fallen leaves, twigs and other natural debris to preserve moisture and supply nutrients to soil.
Tip 3: Trees and shrubs benefit greatly if fertilized in mid– to late fall, when trees' calipers expand. Fertilizer will help with this process and root development.
Tip 4: If you haven't fertilized your lawn yet this season, do it now (providing the ground is still unfrozen) to promote strong root development and thicken grass plants.
Tip 5: To keep pines from losing major branches, thin their crowns during the dormant season on a regular basis, and remove overlapping branches to open trees' centers. Shearing yews and arborvitae into hedge-like outlines reduces damage from wet snow or ice. If you prefer a naturalistic outline, fasten trunks loosely to stakes with hemp rope or rubber-covered wire.
Tip 6: Deciduous trees, such as maples, and brittle-stemmed trees, like willows, benefit from thinning and spreading crowns to prevent long branches from cracking.
Tip 7: If you want strawberry plants to produce super fruit next June, fertilize them now and mulch deeply with salt marsh hay.
Tip 8: To guard against winter burn, wrap susceptible shrubs with economical burlap covers, held by sturdy stakes and loosely tied with a soft cord (susceptible to winter burn are young needled and broad-leaved evergreens, and “not guaranteed” shrubs). Or start spraying plants thoroughly with a water-soluble wax coating (anti-desiccant) in early winter. All young smooth-barked deciduous trees should have their trunks wrapped in winter to prevent sun-scorch (frost cracks).
Tip 9: Some sort of winter protection is necessary for hybrid roses in most parts of Maine. The most economical system is to hill up soil or mulch around the bottom 10 inches of stem before the soil freezes. Hybrid Tea Roses should also be wrapped in burlap.
Tip 10: Tall and woody perennials (with some exceptions such as lavender, rue, and tree peony) should be cut back to 4 or 5 inches and mulched with leaves or salt hay. This will prevent freezing and thawing, which heaves plants out of the ground and could break or damage them.
Tip 11: Bring clay pots and other containers indoors to prevent cracking such that can occur during winter. Clean pots to prevent fungus diseases from remaining or forming in them.
Tip 12: Many trees and shrubs can go in the ground now - but this is it. You can also dig, divide and replant lily-of-the-valley if you haven't gotten to it yet.
Tip 13: Move hardy water lilies into the deepest part of your water garden. If your water garden freezes solid, you have a couple of options: install a bubbler to keep the water moving and prevent a solid freeze, or over- winter your plants in your basement.
Tip 14: Remove any tropical plants that you wish to save. Floating tropicals are usually discarded at the end of the season, but can be wintered over in an aquarium or beta bowl. Large tropicals, such as cannas and some marginals, can be left to dry out and stored in a cool, dry area. Once they begin to sprout in the spring, place them in a pail of water in a sunny location.
Tip 15: Send lawns into winter at no more than 2 inches high. Then, clean the mower blades, and sharpen and adjust them if necessary.
Tip 16: Be sure to shut off all outdoor water spigots to prevent pipes from cracking and leaking. Also, be sure to pick up all garden tools. If left outside, they are likely to be damaged by winter weather and could pose a danger if hidden under snow.
Tip 17: Indoor houseplants want to rest November through January, so cut fertilizer feedings by half. Remember to bring your tropicals and houseplants inside before the night temps dip below 40°F.
Tip 18: Keep piles of fallen leaves off grass. If they are not raked or blown off, the leaves will smother grass blades, causing grass to die in spots.
Tip 19: Save leaves and add them to your compost pile. If possible, shred them to hasten decomposition.
Tip 20: Test your soil. This will provide the results you'll need to find out how much lime and other additives are required to keep things growing well.