Too much water or not enough sunlight can cause your plants to wither. Regulating conditions can be complicated by weather related factors, especially as the seasons change. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to protect your plants and keep them healthy throughout the winter.
Move Plants Indoors
If you have potted plants around your landscape, they should be moved indoors for the winter. Once the temperatures start dropping below 45 degrees F, you should protect them from the cold. Find a spot in the house where you can control light, humidity, and temperature.
Keep in mind that suddenly moving a plant indoors can send it into shock. Your best bet is to gradually move the plants indoors. For shade plants, bring them indoors for a couple hours per day and slowly increase their time inside. With plants that love the sun, place them in the shade for about two weeks before they come indoors so that they have a chance to adapt.
Water Carefully
During the winter, you won’t have to worry about watering as much. You will need to adjust your watering schedule and only add water when the soil is dry to the touch. Excessive watering can result in root rot.
Add Humidity
Winter air is a lot dryer than during the summer. When you add fireplaces and furnaces to the equation, humidity levels can drop even more. Adding a small, cool humidifier to the area where you keep your plants can help you achieve the right humidity levels.
Remove Bugs
Bugs can be tough on plants and if you are bringing plants indoors, you probably don’t want to invite the bugs in as well. The easiest way to address bug problems is to soak the plant in a bucket of water that contains a drop of mild soap. You won’t have to use pesticides and your plants will be bug-free.
Following these simple tips will help keep your plants thriving throughout the winter. For additional help preparing your plants and landscape for winter, contact the experts at JT’s Landscaping.
