| By December, most gardeners have raked all | | | | against a brick wall with a southern |
| their leaves, finished planting their spring | | | | exposure, for example, will be warmer than |
| bulbs and are preparing to patiently wait | | | | its surrounding environment. In a space such |
| until spring to visit the garden again. If, | | | | as this, plants which are borderline hardy |
| however, you don't mind the snow or freezing | | | | have a better chance at survival than if |
| temperatures you don't need to put all those | | | | planted elsewhere in the garden. |
| tools away just yet. Winter can be a busy | | | | |
| time for gardeners. Planning, of course, is | | | | The canopy of the existing trees can protect |
| important but there are a few other things | | | | plants by reducing their radiant heat loss. |
| which can be done as well which require | | | | In winter, the micro-climate beneath a tree |
| | | | may be several degrees warmer than the |
| Here are a few gardening tips to help you get | | | | surrounding air, this slight difference in |
| through winter. | | | | temperature can be beneficial to some plants. |
| | | | |
| Browse through all those gardening catalogs | | | | Being aware of the sun and shade conditions |
| that are lying around or spend a little time | | | | in your garden is critical to proper plant |
| online searching for the shrubs and flowers | | | | placement and, in turn, to the long term |
| you'll plant during the upcoming season. | | | | health of your plants. Improperly placed |
| First, however, plan your new garden or | | | | plants are a main reason for unnecessary |
| update your existing one. | | | | transplants. |
| | | | |
| Rework your garden design while the ground is | | | | Getting to know the conditions of your site |
| frozen. Think about what was missing in the | | | | before you begin planning and planting can be |
| garden during the previous season. Also, walk | | | | the difference between success and |
| though the garden and determine what could | | | | disappointment. Properly planned gardens |
| make the landscape more interesting during | | | | ensure the time you invest in you garden is |
| the winter months. Often, a large evergreen | | | | worth it, as each properly placed plant |
| serving as an anchor or specimen shrub can | | | | thrives. |
| improve a winter landscape. Deciduous shrubs | | | | |
| and trees with winter berries, unique form or | | | | Another gardening chore which could be done |
| colorful bark can also provide the garden | | | | during the winter is pruning deciduous trees |
| with winter interest. | | | | and shrubs. During the winter, while there |
| | | | are no leaves on the trees, you're able to |
| Forethought is essential when planning a | | | | see more clearly a plant's branching |
| successful garden. After you've decided what | | | | structure. Prune any branches which are criss |
| you'd like your new garden to offer, begin a | | | | crossed or that are growing inward toward the |
| site analysis. Having a clear understanding | | | | trunk of the tree or shrub. Any upward |
| of your site's conditions is important as it | | | | pointing branches on a weeping plant should |
| will enable you to make informed decisions | | | | also be removed. When pruning, make your |
| regarding design and plant selection. | | | | cuts slightly above the branch collar. Check |
| Determine the following factors; climate & | | | | on your evergreen shrubs after snow storms |
| micro-climate, sun & shade conditions, wind | | | | and shake off the snow if any has accumulated |
| exposure, soil composition and existing | | | | on the branches. |
| vegetation. | | | | |
| | | | Check your perennial gardens for heaving, |
| Plant hardiness zone maps divide the country | | | | especially in areas prone to repeated |
| into zones based on the lowest average winter | | | | freezing and thawing. Recycle your Christmas |
| temperature. A plant that is adapted to your | | | | tree as garden mulch and don't forget to feed |
| hardiness zone is one that can tolerate the | | | | the birds and provide them with some unfrozen |
| lowest winter temperature your zone typically | | | | water. Remember to sharpen your tools so |
| experiences. Find out the zone in which you | | | | you'll be ready to get to work when the |
| live and use it as guide during your plant | | | | ground thaws. |
| selection process. | | | | |
| | | | Though you won't be planting new flowers and |
| Along with the overall climate conditions of | | | | cultivating the soil, winter is the perfect |
| your area, micro-climates within your | | | | time to prepare for next spring whether your |
| specific site also determine what is | | | | preparing for new garden projects or out |
| appropriate for your garden. A sunny spot | | | | amongst the trees and shrubs pruning. |