Winter Care 101: Protect Your Plants from the Cold

Written By Carli Holas

Winter is coming, or it's already here, depending on when you read this. When your plants have recently spent their time in the calm winds of fall, they’re not prepared for the winter’s freezing temperatures, dry climate, and lack of nutrients. There are ways you can winterize your lawn to help as many of your shrubs, trees, grass, and other plants survive the winter in better shape than you’re used to.

The experts at Pioneer Landscape Centers have several strategies and items that you can use to help your lawn stay fresh and green.

Winter Care Tips for Plants

#1. Keep Watering Your Plants

You’re probably thinking to yourself, “Why would watering your plants be an issue in the winter? Summer is when everything gets hot and the water dries up.” Well, the water doesn’t necessarily dry up during the winter – instead, it freezes. That can be just as bad because the water still isn’t getting to the roots. Often, it can be even worse due to how it affects the ground’s structure.

Water is one of the few compounds in the universe that expands when it freezes. When it evaporates, it affects your soil less than freezing does. In the summer, when the water evaporates, it leads to the ground compacting, which retains nutrients but makes it difficult for water to get to the roots.

When water freezes and expands, it displaces the soil and keeps the nutrients from getting to the roots. It also creates blockage like soil does when it compacts, keeping water that isn’t frozen from getting to the roots.

Since you can’t heat your whole yard, you have several options, but one thing you have to do is water your plants more. If you notice that your soil is freezing, add water around it, or break apart the ice and water the plant before it freezes more. 

#2. Protect Plants with Underlayment

While you can’t add heat, you can help your plants and soil retain as much as possible. You can also protect your plants from snow and freezing water. Underlayment is a material that goes around the stem of your plants, protecting the soil and roots, while allowing the plant to bask in the sunlight.

This will keep water out, so you’ll have to make sure you are your plant’s main source of water. In the winter, when rain and snow are more common but at freezing temperatures, it's better to serve as your plants’ main source of water anyway. This gives you more control and your plants more protection.

#3. Place Down Landscaping Rock

Landscaping rock can be decorative and purposeful. We supply several types of landscaping rocks that can cover and protect your plants. The type of decorative rock will decide how much protection your plants have. The rocks serve as a thick protective layer that keeps excess snow and water from getting to the ground and freezing over. Instead, it freezes over the rock, which is much easier to move and place back than frozen turf.

Landscaping rocks you can use include:

  • Decorative rock
  • River rock
  • Fines
  • Rip rap
  • Boulder
  • Bagged
  • Moss rock
  • Retaining rock

#4. Fertilize and Lay Down Topsoil Before Winter Comes

If you still have time, or the weather has dropped to its coldest, you can still lay down critical winter care materials like fertilizer and topsoil. These will strengthen your soil and plants before the cold comes. 

Both fertilizer and topsoil strengthen your soil and plants by supplying them with the nutrients they may start receiving in smaller amounts thanks to the weather. This will help your plants get what they need when they can’t get it in the cold weather. 

You can add these winter care materials to your landscape during the winter, but if you don’t do it before winter comes, sometimes it can be too late.

Contact Pioneer Landscape Centers for Winter Care Materials

Winter is coming and if you want the lawn you’ve worked so hard on to survive, make sure you get the winter care materials you need. If you’re unsure of what brand or material is right for your plants, our experts can help. We can also assist you with finding the right tools for all the landscaping tasks you’re working on. Contact your local Pioneer Landscape Centers, we’re ready to help your lawn survive the winter.

Carli Holas