[Republished
from February 2011]
What is a plant to do?
It’s February and all but a few plants should be peacefully enjoying the
delicious dormancy of winter. In the
restful sleep of hibernation each plant sends good thoughts to its root zone
where precious nutrients are stored to be called on when the sunshine of spring
and early summer tease them to life by warming the soil and sending messages of
new growth. That’s in a perfect
world. But this year as well as others we
are experiencing anything but perfect.
Temperatures have fluctuated from 70 degrees to below 0 in a
span of a few days. This has happened
several times since December. Then we go
back up to high 40’s for a week at a time with lows only at freezing, creating
a freeze thaw situation in the soil.
 |
| When plants are subjected to this “freeze-thaw” cycle repeatedly damage can occur to the root system as plants are heaved from the ground. |
The best remedy is to apply a 3-4 inch layer of mulch around
the base of your plants. This helps to mitigate the soil temperatures, thus
preventing the heaving effect. It also
helps to keep moisture in the soil. It
is best to wait until after the first hard freeze to do this, and before
snowfall so rodents do not make a comfortable home out of it. When you apply the mulch, it is important to
pull it back gently about an inch or slightly more from the crown of the
plant. This prevents excess moisture
from collecting at the crown line and creating diseases and allows the plant to
breathe. Check out CSU fact sheet
#7.214, Mulches for Home Grounds at www.colostate.edu.
It’s not only the roots that need protection, but warmer
days can create a situation where premature budding can occur. This will require some above ground
protection for your plants. Be creative
and cover with something that creates a layer of air between the plant and the
cover to provide insulation. It is best
not to just drape sheets over plants, especially if heavy moisture is
present. The sheet will become wet and
heavy and lay directly on the leaves causing the very damage you were trying to
prevent. For plants you especially want
to protect, try putting a tomato cage over it and then hanging the sheet over
that, or devising something that will create the same effect. Covers should never be left on for extended periods
of time as they can disrupt the natural transpiration of air and water in the plants. Remove as soon as the danger has passed.
Do not be alarmed if your tulips and other bulbs are
beginning to break bud. Those that are
doing so are the species varieties that are natives of China, Turkey and Asia
who thrive in these kinds of severe winter climates. They will be fine. As a matter of fact, they
will continue to thrive.
With all these severe temperature shifts, watering is still going
to be critical despite recent snows. If you have not done any yet since you
turned your irrigation system off last October, pay attention to areas that did
not get melting snow. When temps are above 45 degrees, drag out the hose and
deeply, slowly water trees and shrubs first and extend to herbaceous perennials
if time permits. This will prevent
winter desiccation injury where the plant cannot take up enough moisture to
keep up with the dry, windy conditions we often experience.
