Your plants are subject to more potential trouble during the winter months. Harsh conditions like freezing temperatures, wind, snow, and ice can really take a toll.
We know that your landscape is important to you which is why we’re talking about steps you can take to protect plants in winter. Making smart choices for your property to protect outdoor plants can help ensure you are able to maintain your investment.

We will share six helpful tips including:

#1: Apply an Anti-Desiccant Spray
#2: Gently Brush Snow Off Shrubs to Prevent Snow-Bending
#3: How to Cover Plants for Frost
#4: Be Cautious with Deicing Materials
#5: Mulch Plants to Insulate and Protect the Roots
#6: Prevent Problems with Plant Health Care

With some thoughtful planning and a little bit of attention, you can help ensure that your plants don’t succumb to any damage over the winter months.

#1: Apply an Anti-Desiccant Spray

Certain trees and shrubs can be more susceptible to cold-weather conditions than others. A prime example is evergreens, which can really struggle when the ground freezes and roots can no longer take up water. When this happens they will begin to use water they’ve already stored.

It doesn’t take long for these conditions to lead to dehydration.
Applying an anti-desiccant spray can provide a protective coating that keeps the leaves from losing too much water through evaporation. This helps to save every last drop of water.

#2: Gently Brush Snow Off Shrubs to Prevent Snow-Bending

When your shrubs get piled up with snow, they can bend and become misshapen. You can prevent this from happening by going outside every few hours to gently knock snow off your shrubs. You can give them a shake or attempt to brush it off.
This can go a long way in preventing branches from being overloaded with snow, which can lead to your shrub bending over or ending up with distorted branches.

While this is a great way to protect outdoor plants, you still have to keep safety at the forefront of everything you do. We would never advise climbing a ladder to knock off snow as this can be incredibly dangerous. This is a task best reserved for your smaller shrubs that you can clear from the ground.
Also keep in mind that you should never attempt to remove ice from your tree or shrub branches. If you have ice build-up on any branches you might do more harm than good trying to break it off. Often people accidentally end up damaging the branch. Ice will melt once it warms up again.

#3: How to Cover Plants for Frost

Another step that you can take to protect outdoor plants is to cover them and prevent frost damage. Frost can damage plants by causing the moisture on them to freeze. A fabric material works best to cover plants for frost.
Avoid covering plants with plastic as this material is not breathable and can do more harm than good. Plastic bags can get heavy when rained or snowed on and can crush fragile plants.

Plant fabric obviously works but you can also use household objects (already on hand) like sheets, pillow cases, or blankets. Even cardboard can work to cover and protect plants in a pinch.

#4: Be Cautious with Deicing Materials

Deicing materials used to keep your driveway and walkways safe can unfortunately be damaging to plants. The chemicals can melt into the soil and alter its composition, making it an inhospitable environment for most plants. There are safer alternatives to traditional deicing materials that you can use instead.
While these tend to be more expensive, the extra amount that you spend is small in comparison to what it could cost to replace plants that become damaged and die.

#5: Mulch Plants to Insulate and Protect the Roots

Another great way to protect plants in winter is to apply mulch. As a natural insulator, mulch will help protect your precious roots from extreme temperatures. Mulch helps to retain some heat and moisture and also prevent evaporation from the wind.
Mulch can also protect your plants from rapid freezing and thawing, both of which can be damaging to fragile root systems.

#6: Prevent Problems with Plant Health Care

Plant health care services ahead of the winter - including things like fertilization and insect protection - will help your plants to be at their healthiest when headed into the winter season.
This can make a huge difference as plants that are already struggling are going to have a harder time standing up to harsh winter conditions. Year-round health care for your plants is the ultimate solution to guaranteeing their long-term health.

Choosing Plant Health Care in Cincinnati, Dayton, OH and Northern Kentucky

By making a wise choice in a tree and shrub care program, you’ll be on your way to having healthy and thriving trees and shrubs that make your landscape beautiful.

That means getting the maximum value and enjoyment out of your property that you deserve. It also means that your plants will be well-protected from stressors, including the winter season (and all the harsh conditions that accompany it).

Be sure to choose a company that values soil health as you look for plant health care in Cincinnati, Dayton, OH and Northern Kentucky. At Oasis Turf & Tree, we believe the best defense against insects and disease is to improve your plants’ overall health in the first place. This can be achieved by improving the health of your soil.

When you make an investment in plant health care, you’re making an investment in the longevity of your landscape.

If you want to learn more about tree and shrub health care for your Cincinnati, Dayton, OH, or Northern Kentucky home, call us today at 513-697-9090 to get your quote, let us help you choose a stand-alone program or bundle it with other services, and then sit back and relax knowing you’re in good hands.

Image Sources: snow on pine, broken branch