Prepare your potted plants for winter

With winter just around the corner, now is the time to get your garden ready for the upcoming temperature drop. Proper preparation will ensure that your plants are protected during this cold period and they will flourish even more when spring arrives.

The first thing to remember is that the rapid fluctuation of temperatures can result in potted plants being forced up and out of their potting soil. By placing your pots directly on soil instead of a pavement type floor, you can prevent this from happening. Even in the coldest months of the year, the earth always maintains a certain amount of heat and, by placing your pots directly on the soil or grass, this heat is then transferred to the potting soil.

If you are considering transplanting your potted plants, it’s a good idea to opt for something more than just a little bit larger. Bigger is better in this case since extra soil will offer added insulation to the roots of the plant. Larger pots are also notably thicker which is an added layer of defense against the cold.

Planting and transplanting needs to be done well before the temperatures get too low. If you plant in advance, the roots will have enough time to mature and settle into their new home. If you plant or replant too close to winter, the cold can have a devastating or even fatal effect on your plant.

Some trees can benefit from having their trunks wrapped. This is particularly true for younger trees. If you have any potted plants that don’t fancy the cold, then it’s best to bring them inside. Indoor potted plants still need to be watered but not necessarily as often as they do in summer. Make sure that you don’t overdo it or you could do more harm than good. Trim off any dead or dying leaves and left over flowers. Trimming your plants and trees back will help them conserve energy during the winter so that they can thrive once again when the freeze is over.