05/19/2022
We have a bit of winter weather headed our way this weekend! Here are some helpful tips on what to do for your newly planted landscaping.
UPCOMING STORM AND YOUR LANDSCAPING
Bit of a lengthy post, but we are getting lots of calls about what to do. So here it goes….
As of now the storm is supposed to be cold and wet. Cold is bad, wet helps to a point. Overnight lows in the low to upper 20s Friday and Saturday nights depending on your location. If we get some wet snow that sticks to leaves and plants that will actually help insulate your plants against the cold. Downside if we get clobbered with snow the weight of the snow can break and damage your trees and plants as well. So here is what we would recommend for the following categories.
Newly planted young trees. They are tough! If they freeze the leaves will turn black and crispy then in a few weeks they will get new leaves. If they are in bloom, they will lose the flowers for this season. If it snows and weighs down branches you can lightly shake them to reduce snow load. DO NOT DO THIS to large mature trees or if you have large mature trees close by. If a big branch breaks and falls you are much harder to replace than a tree! Be careful and use your best judgement. If you have evergreens with new tender growth and the new growth freezes it will turn purple then dry up and fall off. New buds for next season will form at the old bud and you will get new growth from that point next spring.
Newly planted shrubs. Very similar to trees except a few don’t like to get below 32 degrees. Plants like Russian Sage, Switch Grass, Pampas Grass, Maiden Grass, Butterfly Bush, etc may die back to the ground and restart. Be careful covering any shrubs as the weight of snow can crush them if it’s too heavy. If leaves turn black and crispy, they will come back in a few weeks.
Perennials and Ornamental Grasses. Most hardy perennials will come back or be insulated enough from the snow. If you bought it at a box store cover it with a pot if you can. Those won’t be hardened off to our temps yet. If grasses get crushed with heavy snow prune them back and let them flush new growth over the next few weeks.
Annuals and Vegetables. These you need to protect from the cold. If you cover them try to do so with something that has some structure. Just placing frost cloth, blankets, plastic, etc over them may cause more damage if the heavy snow crushes them. If you haven’t planted them move them inside, and plant in June (that might be safe).
Be sure to turn off sprinkler systems and drain your backflows. Unhook hoses from faucets to prevent costly damage to your irrigation systems and homes.
Remember, your plants are tough. Even if they come through this with some cosmetic damage some warm weather and some patience usually prevails. Whisky never hurts either (for you, not the plants). While a late storm like this is very frustrating, we badly need the moisture for not only our plants but our whole ecosystem. At least that is what we keep telling ourselves as we prepare to try and protect what we can. Enjoy the moisture and remember to be safe if you venture out to reduce snow loads on trees. We have delayed some shipments of shrubs and perennials due to the storm and cold temps. We will reload next week for what will hopefully be a very nice Memorial Day Weekend. See you soon!
