Denver Landscaping Tips for Winter

The colder weather is coming and in Denver that means freezing temperatures and frost There is no need to panic however, when it comes to protecting your plants. Below are six strategies to help your plants survive the winter.

Cold temperatures
Plunging temperatures make every homeowner worry about the safety of their plants. Choosing plants properly that can withstand the cold is the first and most important step. Place plants more vulnerable to the cold in protected areas. If you have plants that don’t like the cold temperatures, then take extra steps to protect them, such as laying down extra mulch, or covering plants with sheets or cloth.

Mulch over tender perennials
A 4-inch layer of winter mulch placed after the ground freezes two inches deep will protect your more vulnerable plants. Mulch root area of larger plants. Cover or wrap plants and shrubs with cloth to insulate them. Don’t use plastic as it suffocates the plants and will raise and lower their temperatures too quickly.

Salt damage
Salt damage occurs when salt is used to melt ice and snow on driveways and walkways. It is also caused when salt is used on your streets, and then tossed onto plants by snowplows. To prevent damage from salt, use alternatives such as sand, kitty litter or an environmentally friendly salt mixture to de-ice walkways and driveways. Place only extra hardy plants in your snowplow zone, and avoid those varieties that are highly susceptible to salts.

Wind and moisture loss
Strong winds can cause plants to lose moisture in the winter. To avoid moisture loss, mulch around roots and cover or wrap plants with cloth. You should still water plants occasionally to prevent moisture loss.

Winter pests
The biggest pest problems during the winter are caused by animals nibbling on trees and shrubs. There are a number of ways to prevent damage from pests, such as using environmentally safe products that repel pests, wrapping tree trunks with protective materials and placing fencing around valuable plants. You can also try leaving out food for the animals so they won’t be tempted to eat your plants.

Container gardening
Many people enjoy planting in containers as a large part of their gardening. If you have perennials in containers or pots, you should move them into the garage or a shed during the winter. If you don’t, the soil can freeze and kill the plants. If you don’t have a garage, add a layer of mulch around and over containers to protect plants, or move them indoors when temperatures are severe.

Roses
Winter is not generally a problem for roses if you have the right variety—especially if they were grown from their own roots. Many antique and climbing roses are very hardy and don’t require special attention. However in some climates with severe winters, roses need to be buried in a trench to survive the winter. Tree roses are very susceptible to cold, so they may need to be covered or buried. When in doubt, it is best to consult your local horticulturist or garden center to know what is best for protecting plants in your climate.

Learn more about landscape maintenance

The post Denver Landscaping Tips for Winter appeared first on Denver Sprinkler and Landscape.