Now is the time to protect your plants from all of winter’s perils.

Winter is fast approaching and with it cold weather, snow, freezing rain and all the other winter hazards that can wreak havoc on your plants. In this article, you will find several tips to help you protect your plants from winter’s woes. With our help, your garden will be safeguarded from Jack Frost and all his mischief.

1. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch

If you only do one thing to defend your plants against cold temperatures, spread a layer of mulch around your plants at least 3 to 4 inches thick. Pine needles, straw, leaves, and shredded bark all make good ground cover. Straw provides the best insulation because it is hollow.

2. Keep the rodents out

To prevent rodents from nesting in your soil, wait to mulch until the ground freezes but before the first snow fall of the season. Mulching too early will give rodents a warm place to nest and fest on your vulnerable plants.

3. Cut back the dead

After the first frost of the season, cut back any dead, dry stems from perennials to soil level to prevent pest and diseases from taking hold. Also remove any diseased foliage from your evergreens and discard all diseased plant matter in the trash.

4. Bring the pots inside

Bring your potted plants into a garage, sun room, greenhouse or shed. Although they might not get enough sun to look their best, storing your potted plants inside will guarantee that they will survive the harsh cold of winter.

5. Protect the young

Newly planted trees are especially vulnerable to the winter sun scalding their tender bark. Protect these saplings by wrapping their thunks with a commercial tree wrapping tape or other tree-guard product from your local garden center. Also remember to mulch around the base of the young trees.

6. Block the wind

Shelter your evergreens from biting winter winds by building a windbreak. On the north and west sides of your plants, place posts and wrap them with burlap or shade cloth to create a barrier from cold seasonal wind.

7. Water before the freeze

Even in the winter, your evergreens still need water. Evergreens continue to lose water all winter long. Keep watering your evergreens whenever the temperature is above freezing to prevent them from drying out.