As the temperature drops and warmer clothing is gathered, the focus turns toward holiday preparations. The garden is left shivering, awaiting the care and attention of a nurturing gardener.
Birdhouse Winter Preparation
- Wearing rubber gloves, remove old nests from boxes.
- Rinse with water, drain and dry.
- Hang suet feeders and keep feeders filled for a constant winter display
Preparation and Planning of a Bluebird Birdhouse Garden
- Prepare nesting boxes now, while the ground is still soft. North American bluebirds arrive in mid March leaving little time for spring preparation.
- Mount boxes 3-5 feet above the ground on fence posts or on trees without lower branches.
- Ensure that the nesting boxes are surrounded by open land as bluebirds are extremely territorial. This competition for territory is theorized to be primarily responsible for the diminished bluebird sightings in the last 25 years.
- Install boxes for competing birds such as house wrens, chickadees, tufted titmouses, nuthatches and tree swallows, in the vicinity; keeping them out of the bluebird houses. Keep at least 100 yards between nesting boxes.
Pest Entryways and Burrows
- Examine along the foundation of the home and fill all holes with caulk or copper mesh.
- Look for mole tunnels on property and fill with soil.
Perennial Garden Beds
- Cut back perennials to a height of approximately 3 to 6 inches.
- Mulch when the ground is frozen with 3 to 6 inches of compost. Keep the compost away from the crown of the plants; top with leaves or evergreens.
Bulb Planting
- Although it is best to plant bulbs in early to mid autumn (for maximum root growth) continue planting bulbs until the ground is frozen.
Winter Tree and Shrub Preparation
- Stake and wrap all shrubs under the line of the roof to forgo impact from falling snow and ice.
- Fertilize when dormant with nitrogen. Although the top growth may have ceased, root growth continues for weeks.
Evergreen Care
- Water broadleaved evergreens (hollies, mountain laurels and most rhododendrons) on warm days when the temperature is over 40 degrees.
- Spray antidessicants when temperatures are above freezing.
- Evergreens will turn brown if they lose too much water and are exposed to too much sun during the winter months if not hydrated properly.
Rose Garden Care
- Remove remaining leaves.
- Hybrid Tea, Grandiflora and Floribundas – Wrap in wire cage, mound base of the plant with soil, fill the cage with straw or leaves.
- Hardy Shrub Roses – After the ground freezes, mound soil (new soil) or compost 8-12 inches high around the plant bases.
- Climbers – Mound soil over the crown, tie to supports with twine or wrap in burlap together.
Indoor Gardening
- Force paperwhites continually throughout the season alone or with tulips or hyacinths.
- Nurture poinsettias – Select full plants two and one half times taller than the diameter of the pot. Keep in indirect light, not warmer than 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Begin an indoor herb garden.
- Expand your knowledge about the wide varieties of exotic plants imported during the winter season.
The passion for gardening should not, with the impending winter, slow down but should encourage the gardener to prepare for a fertile and prosperous spring.
Sources: Garden Almanac