Winter brings unique problems to the garden. Here are some common winter garden hazards and how to navigate them.
Snow and Ice
The most obvious hazards are snow and ice. Heavy, wet snow can break branches, especially in young evergreen trees like green velvet boxwood and giant arborvitae. Remove heavy snow from tree limbs by sweeping upward with a broom. Shaking a branch to remove snow risks breaking it and is not recommended. Ice is more challenging on a tree because it is impossible to remove it from a branch. Weak branches may collapse under the weight of the ice on them. Avoid planting trees that grow very fast because they are usually weak and will break easily.
Snow and ice on the ground can be hazardous when moving around in the garden. However, snow is a good insulator and can keep the roots of trees, shrubs, and perennials from getting too cold. Extreme temperatures can freeze plants and make it hazardous to go outside.
Deicing Salts
Deicing salts can injure plants in two ways. Cars splash salt spray on trees and shrubs. The salty spray is absorbed, and the sodium and chloride ions replace needed nutrients. Too much displacement causes the plant to develop a critical shortage of required nutrients and die. Putting up a barrier between the tree and the road can prevent salty spray from splashing on the tree. Using non-salt deicers on your driveway and sidewalks can also reduce injuries.
The second hazard deicing salts post is when the water from melting snow and ice sweeps the deicing salts across the soil. The soil absorbs the salt, and trees and shrubs far from hard surfaces can suffer injury. Do not plant things in the drainage path of meltwater. Raise the beds and use swaths and berms to channel the meltwater along hardscapes where it will not cause injuries.
Plants Still Need Water
Many people do not realize that plants still need water even when dormant. Trees and shrubs need watering if there is no rain or snow to provide it. These plants use less water in the winter, but they do need some. Try to water when the temperature is over 40 degrees. Water in the morning so the soil has all day to absorb the water before it freezes overnight.
Too Much Water
Winter storms may leave a landscape waterlogged and cold for long periods of time. This can rot roots that stay wet and deprive the roots of oxygen. Plant in well-drained soil. Spreading a layer of dead leaves over the ground in late fall can help absorb excess water and add organic matter to the soil.
Temporary floods in a vegetable garden may cause a food safety issue. If the flood water contained sewage or animal feces, the vegetables may be unsafe to eat even if washed off. Consult your local Extension agent to determine what can be salvaged and discarded.
Hungry Animals
Scarce food can cause animals to eat plants they usually disdain. Even deer-resistant plants like witch hazel and lilac shrubs can end up on the menu. Making a cage of hardwood cloth around valuable trees, especially young trees, can protect them from rabbits, small voles, and mice. Make the cage large enough to have a six-inch gap between the wire and the bark. The fence needs to be at least 24 inches high to keep rabbits from jumping over it.
Pruning Hazards
Prune trees and shrubs during the winter when plants are dormant. Large trees can be complex to prune because it is difficult to reach the top branches. Hire a certified arborist to prune these trees. They have safety equipment and can prune the tree without injuring it or themselves.
Heavy Winds
Winter storms often have heavy winds. Trees with shallow roots may be pushed over during a storm when the soil is saturated. Make sure that the trees on your property will not hit your house or garage if they fall to prevent severe damage or injury. Young trees may be temporarily staked, but do not stake them permanently, or the tree will become weak. It needs to stand against less fatal winds to grow strong.
Sun Scald
With no leaves to protect them, young tree trunks are vulnerable to sun scald in the winter. The first few years after planting, wrap the trunk from the ground up to just under the first branch with paper tree wrapping tape. Remove the wrapping tape after all danger of frost has passed. Leaving it on the tree will make it hard for the trunk to expand as it grows and can shelter insects.
Poisonous Berries
Bringing nature inside to use as decorations for the holidays is common in many cultures. Boughs of holly have red berries on them. Mistletoe has white ones. Other berries and seeds are out in the landscape. Many of these seeds and berries poison cats, dogs, and people. Ensure the berries and seeds are out of reach of pets and children. They may not understand they cannot eat the pretty berries.
Frozen Water Features
If you get a sudden freeze, your irrigation system and water features can freeze. Be sure to drain both in plenty of time to avoid expensive repairs. In areas where that isn't necessary, put a floating heater or fountain in your birdbath to keep the water available for birds and other wildlife.
Garden Catalogs Arrive
This is the time of year when garden catalogs arrive in the mail. Remember that if a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Buy your plants from reputable nurseries like TN Nursery. Call 931.692.7325 to order your plants or ask questions.
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