Is your garden ready for the winter season? Mother Nature likes to keep us on our toes during our Texas winters. From record highs to record lows, we never know what to expect. This is why it is important to give your garden a little TLC, even during the cooler months. Not sure where to start? Here are 5 helpful tips for your winter garden!
1. FROST PROTECTION FOR YOUR PLANTS
DeWitt N-SULATE Frost Protection Blanket or Supreme Plant Protection rolls are available at our stores nearest you. This plant frost protection fabric is an inexpensive, yet fabulous form of protection for your flowerbeds, bedding plants, vegetable gardens, and more. It is made from a re-usable, medium weight fabric available in various size options. The material is formulated to resist UV degradation while allowing air and water to pass through the fabric.
Frost Protection blankets and rolls are designed to raise the temperature beneath the fabric about 6-8 degrees to create a warmer and protected environment for your annual color. Also, you can protect your freshly planted trees and evergreens from the dry winds and winter sun. Winter Sunscald can “burn” and dry out the conifer needles and evergreen foliage. Wrap up your trees and secure with floral wire or rope.
Another option of frost protection is the NuVue® All-Winter Frost Cover. The All-Winter Frost Cover pops open for easy set up and collapses flat for easy storage. It repels freezing rain, damaging winds, and insects while protecting your plants from frost. This superior protection also allows sun, air, and water to penetrate which is critical for healthy plant life.
2. PREPARE FLOWERBEDS FOR SPRING
Remember, spring isn’t far away. Now is a good time to start prepping your soil for the spring season. Treat your soil, add a few inches of Calloway’s Organic Garden Compost to your flowerbeds before temperatures drop and the ground starts to freeze. Adding compost will provide important nutrients that your soil can soak up all season long.
Then, add a layer of Calloway’s Premium Organic Mulch. Mulch helps prevent soil erosion, maintains moisture in your soil, and deters weed growth. Applying mulch is extremely beneficial this time of year because it regulates the soil temperature to protect your plant’s roots from freezing temperatures.
3. REMOVE DEAD LIMBS AND TROUBLED PLANTS
Prune any tree limbs that are dead or broken and clean up any herbaceous perennials and deadhead roses. Pruning techniques for trees and plants are dependent on the variety. Be sure to do a little research to on the proper timing and how-to prune your plants correctly. Removing damaged or dead limbs now is important to protect your home from any unforeseen issues if a winter storm comes our way. Plus, it can create room for new growth in the spring season.
Check your flowerbeds for any troubled plants and weeds. Remove those immediately as they steal nutrients that your healthy plants need to thrive, especially when temperatures drop.
4. LAWN & PLANT CARE
This time of year, lawns are usually in their dormant phase and not yet ready for spring growth. Remember, your lawn and your plants are still alive, and need water. Rain can be plentiful during these few months, but during those times with minimal moisture, it is important to make sure our plants stay healthy and refreshed. Drought can hit winter lawns and adding record high temperatures can deplete your plants quickly. Try using a rain gauge so you can stay informed on how much water your plants are receiving. This will help you monitor how much additional watering is needed and what garden tools to use.
Give your cool season color an extra boost with Calloway’s Premium Flower Food. Our Premium Flower Food will replace any nutrients that could be lost during any upcoming freezes while giving your plants vibrant blooms, all winter long!
5. KEEP ON GROWING FOR SPRING GARDENS
Winter, especially in Texas, is a great time to keep gardening and prepare for the spring. Now is the perfect time to plant fruit trees, berries, cool season color, and more!
EDIBLES
Do you want to grow your own fresh fruit? Try planting berries and fruit trees! Growing your own berries and fruit is a tasty step toward a healthier you and a fantastic choice for your cool season gardens.
Explore our premium varieties of fruit trees like Apple, Pears, Figs, Peaches, Plums, Persimmons, and more! Fruit trees need full sunlight to grow successfully.
Explore our selection of berries like Pink Lemonade Blueberries, Powder Blue Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, and more. Perfect for patios or porches, berries do well in containers and prefer full sunlight throughout the day.
COOL SEASON COLOR
How can you keep your garden colorful during the winter? Plant cool season color! Cool season blooms are made to tolerate lower temperatures and thrive during the cooler months.
Matrix® Pansies, Cyclamen, and Snapdragons are an ideal choice for your winter flowerbeds or container gardens. Varieties like Snapdragons, can even support our friendly pollinators.
INDOOR PLANTS
Winter typically-means we spend more time indoors. Make the most of the season and create an urban jungle! Indoor Plants will add vibrant color to any space and help purify the air. Indoor plants are easy to care for and require less frequent watering during the winter months.
Refresh your home for the New Year with new plants like Dracaena, Cactus, Sansevieria, and more! Pair with the perfect pottery for ultra-chic and trendy décor!
SHOP FOR PLANTS WITH EASE
At your local Calloway’s and Cornelius Garden Center, we have convenient ways to shop for your winter garden! Shop our community stores or shop online for Curbside Pickup or Delivery!
Stop by today and explore our entire selection of cool seasonal plants, gardening tools, and so much more! Have questions? Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!
