How To Keep Your Plant Alive In Winter Season
By Peter Gill
Taking care of your plants can be an incredibly cathartic and rewarding activity. It feels like the plants we care for are like our children. However, just like taking care of children, taking care of your plants can be difficult, even in your raised garden bed. This is because there is a range of complications and conditions that can cause your plant to wither. After all, weather conditions change throughout the year, and certain conditions may not fulfill your plant's needs.
In particular, most plants require ample sunlight and warmth, which can become a challenge in the winter. This is because the days are short and the nights are long, with freezing weather, especially in areas further away from the hemispheres. As a result, you may find your plants looking droopy, yellowed or unable to hold themselves up. This can be a problem if you are trying to make certain products, like Kratom crushed leaves.
So how do you counter the effects of winter on your plants and keep them alive? Not to worry, we have you sorted out. This article will look at different ways to keep your plants alive in winter.
Water Plants To Prevent Damage From Cold Weather
This advice may not make sense because you may think the water will cause your plants to become colder or for frost to develop. However, watering your plants before frost will protect them. This is because the water will help regulate temperature differences between the soil and plants while acting as a protective insulator. Frosts usually occur at night since the temperature drops in the dark. So, giving your plants plenty of water a few hours before dark is a good idea.
Wet soil is also better at holding warmth, while dry soil can lead to ground freeze and kill your plants. Another method to combat the winters is to water the soil as deep as 6inches. It would be best to do this about once a week before winter arrives. This will ensure your plants are well-insulated and protected against freezing weather.
Add Ground Cover To Protect Soil
Adding a few inches of ground cover to the soil, like straw and mulch, can make a massive difference for your plants in winter. It acts as a protection for the earth by insulating the soil against cold weather. It also helps the ground retain moisture, which we have seen above can protect your plants in various ways. However, you mustn't use too much ground cover. This is because certain plants are fragile, so it will be better to use a thin layer of ground cover.
Cover Plants During Winter
Covering your plants during winter alongside the protection methods mentioned above is an excellent way to keep your plants alive. It would be best to keep these covers on when the weather gets too cold, preferably at night when the temperature is colder. When the temperature rises in the morning, you should remove them as they may actually damage your plants in such a situation. You can make the covering from any fabric, which includes:
- Bed sheets
- Table cloths
- Plastic covers
- Blankets
- Shade Netting
You can set these covers up by hammering in stakes on the ground beside the plants. After that, lay down the covering, and you are all set. You must ensure that the covering is secured to the ground or stakes. Otherwise, the wind will blow it away. This is why most experienced gardeners use a few rocks at the side of the covers to ensure this doesn't happen. For optimal results, we recommend using fabric sheets and then covering those with plastic sheets. This will ensure that more moisture and warmth are retained, protecting against the cold weather.
Bring Tropical Plants Inside
Certain plants may still end up dying due to the winter weather, no matter how much you protect them outside. In such a case, bringing them inside and replanting them in spring is better. You can do this by digging up the roots and storing them inside. Tropical plants require sunlight and humidity, so you must ensure they are in a place where they can get each of these. Consider placing them near the window so they can get sunlight and putting a humidifier in the room.
Conclusion
Caring for plants can be an enjoyable and challenging hobby. This is because weather changes occur throughout the year. In particular, the winter season poses a challenge to plants due to the extreme cold and lack of sunlight. This is why you should take certain precautions and actions to keep your plants alive. For starters, you should water your plants before the frost to regulate the temperature and provide insulation. Add mulch to the soil on the top layer of your garden bed to protect it and retain moisture within. Add some form of cover above your plants during periods when the temperature gets cold at night, and remove them during the day. Finally, bring tropical inside as they require more warmth and consider adding a humidifier.
We hope this article proves informative and helps you keep your plants alive during the winter. Thank you for reading, and good luck!
