With the onset of winter, when the harvest has long been harvested, and the plants need more care, gardeners can fully enjoy their holidays in the walls of a cozy house or devote time to things that they never had enough time in the warm time. But since winter in recent years is notable for its instability and severe frosts are replacing the unexpected thaw, experienced gardeners are always ready to take the time to spend winter work in the garden and protect the green spaces.
We put things in order in the garden and flower garden
Before the onset of frost, delicate varieties of roses, hibiscus, hydrangeas, as well as other flowering shrubs and young fruit trees must have been carefully wrapped and covered with agrofiber. Now, after severe weather, it will not be superfluous to check the state of the protective structure and, if necessary, correct it.
When inspecting trees, special attention should be paid to young shoots, which under the weight of snow can simply break. All foliage left from the autumn must be removed and the snow gently knocked down from the branches. Finding a broken branch, the damaged area must be immediately covered with garden var.
Under the weight of the snow cover, some varieties of conifers also break. Shelter in the form of a hut will protect the delicate branches of juniper and thuja
The lack of snow also affects the "wintering" of plants. Snow protects their root system from frost, and the aerial part from the temptation to “wake up”. Therefore, snow must be raked from the paths to shrubs and trees with a knoll, covering not only the base, but also the forks of the skeletal branches of the crown.
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Snowless winter is also dangerous for wild strawberries. To protect the roots of a plant located close to the surface, it is necessary to cover them with branches, sawdust or brushwood. They will inhibit the blowing of snow from the strawberry beds.
The winter sun is deceptive: even when not warming at full strength, it can leave burns on tree trunks. Whitewashing will protect the bark of trees from cracking and freezing. On warm winter days, when the air temperature does not drop below zero degrees, you can even carry out air abduction and tree cuttings. At this time, it is convenient to trim and repair hedges.
In warm regions, this time is considered favorable for pruning fruit bushes, stone fruit trees and ornamental varieties.
The only exceptions are varieties that bloom on the shoots of last year in spring or early summer. For example: mock, forsythia, lilac, clematis - they can be cut only after flowering. The rhizomes and bulbs of heat-loving crops dug in autumn also need to be periodically reviewed and ventilated.
Protecting plants from rodents and pests
The young garden also needs pest protection. You can protect tree trunks from rodents by painting the stems with special paint, tar or carbolic.
To protect against attacks by rodents, the trunks of fruit trees can be wrapped with covering material or metal mesh
If snow fell plentifully in winter, then additional protection of the tree bark can be provided by hilling the trunks with snow and compacting it at the base of the boles.
An effective protection of the bark of trees from mice can also be ice crust. Therefore, in addition to trampling snow along the bore circle, you can water this piece of land several times. During this period, among the bare branches of trees, it is convenient to identify the winter nests of the goldfish and hawthorn. Clutches of testicles of an unpaired silkworm are easier to cut with secateurs directly with twigs. Mummified fruits acting as sources of diseases should be removed from the branches of fruit trees. And to get rid of powdery mildew spores on gooseberries or currants, it is enough to pour hot water over the berry bushes.
Harvesting and sowing seeds
Winter varieties of Brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach, parsnips, leeks and various greens, even in the cold season, continue to please the harvest
The optimal conditions for the germination of some flowers are cold temperatures of the soil and air. Therefore, annuals such as poppy seeds, grass, marigolds, calendula and lavender can be sown not only in autumn but also in winter.
In February, when the threat of the return of severe frosts was left behind, you can sow greens and carrots. Even the newly fallen snow will not harm them in any way
Garden chores
Winter is the best time to repair flower beds and arches, fences and garden furniture. During this period, you can do the production of props, which will be needed in the summer for installation under branches of abundant fruiting trees.
Sunny winter days can be devoted to arranging garden paths, erecting a rockery or rock garden
If the soil is not frozen in winter, then you can even arrange a decorative pond or a dry stream even on free days.
Do not forget about the little helpers that destroy pests on the site - feathered friends. Winter is a real test for them, because under the thickness of the snow they do not always manage to find the food necessary to maintain vitality.
A feeder filled with cereals, seeds and pieces of bacon will be a real salvation for birds in the winter
And most importantly, winter is the time to make plans for changing the landscape design, the implementation of which can be started in the spring.
