How to take care of plants in winter

The winter is a difficult season for the plants. Cold, frost, snow and hail can cause significant problems in our garden. Very often, adverse weather conditions create marks on the leaves and damage to the shoots, which remain on our plants after the end of winter. In some cases, shoots and branches may break, as well as freeze the roots of the plants, causing damage that we can not repair. Vegetables, small ornamental plants and young fruit trees are most at risk during the frost. Also, significant problems occur in plants that we have in pots or plants that have been transplanted recently and do not have a strong root system. 

Find below some tips to help the plants we have on our balcony and in the garden withstand the cold and reduce the damage that can be caused during winter. 

1. We do not need to water the plants as often as we watered in the summer. You need to gradually reduce its watering. If you continue to water them there is a risk of mould or disease. A good way to understand when a plant that is dormant needs water is the soil. If the soil from above up to 5 cm depth is dry then you can water it.

2. Move the sensitive plants to sheltered places on the balcony or inside the house. Prefer south-facing places to protect them from cold, frost and snow. We provide protection on the balcony for example for small fruit trees such as lemon, citrus etc. in a pot, as well as for sensitive aromatic plants such as basil, mint and oregano or for ornamental plants such as ficus and Benjamin. Some more sensitive plants, such as gardenia and azalea, succulents and cacti that have been recently transported, if necessary, move them inside the house to protect them from severe frost and snow. Place them in a bright place, away from radiators and a fireplace that can cause yellowing and drying at the edges of their leaves. Once the cold weather has passed, we take our plants out again in their normal position.

3. Cover the plants with antifreeze fabrics, nets or special nylon during the winter. By covering the plants, we ensure protection from impending frost, snow and hail. Carefully cover the plants in such a way that they do not break leaves and shoots and do not tie them tightly to avoid poor ventilation.

4. Avoid putting fertilizer on the plants at this time of the year. Also, avoid pruning them and removing their flowers before the frost to avoid encouraging the onset of new vegetation during the winter. In particular, due to adverse conditions, the tender new vegetation of the plants will be destroyed by low temperatures, snow and hail. As a result, our plant will be stuck in view of spring and its growth will be significantly delayed.

5. Use compost both in the soil and in pots around the roots of the plants. The compost has the property on the one hand to maintain higher temperatures in winter, on the other hand helps the plants to grow a richer root system. Thus, they can better cope with any adverse climatic conditions.

6. Spray the plants with organic algae extract or with a biological mixture of trace elements and amino acids before the bad weather to stimulate them before the frost, snow and hail fall. Algae are rich in trace elements, amino acids and natural hormones, reduce damage to plants, stimulate them and restore them to their original good condition.

7. Dig your garden to help water it rain to be better absorbed. Clean your garden from the fallen leaves and dry branches. Plant shrubs around the garden so that they create a natural hedge. In addition to the beauty that will offer, it helps to protect from the air.

8. If you have not already planted bulbs, you can buy from the nurseries or a flower store near you sprouted bulbs with hyacinths, freesias, hyacinths, daffodils, anemones, crocus, lilies, irises, tulips, etc. and take them transplant in your garden or flower beds. You can also buy beautiful grown plants such as violets, pansies, calendulas, etc. and transplant them in your garden or as flower beds.

9. Be sure to check your plants at regular intervals for any diseases or infestations.

10. Choose plants that are suitable for your area. Choose the right place to plant the right plants. In the garden areas where there are strong and cold winds hardy plants should be planted. An intermediate solution is creating a windbreak -natural or artificial- to protect your plants.

11. If the leaves of your plant start to turn yellow even though you are watering your plant and keeping it in the right place, then it is time to transplant it. Winter is a great season to transplant your plants into larger pots so that the plant is relaxed and its roots can grow while it breathes.

12. In the winter when you take your plants indoors they are likely to be dusty. But the dust certainly does them no good. On the one hand, dust can cause diseases and on the other hand it prevents the absorption of sunlight. About once a month, clean the leaves with a wet cloth and they will be shiny and healthier!

13. The dehumidifier makes the atmosphere at home more pleasant not only for you but also for your plants. In particular, with a dehumidifier it is easier to control the humidity levels in the room, in order to adapt it to the needs of your plants. This way you will reduce mould and other microorganisms that grow more easily when the humidity in the room is high.
14. Prune properly and reduce watering. If you notice damage (cracks) in the trunk or branches of your plants, you need to cover them with copper in order to not leave open gates to fungi.
15. Finally, remember that in winter we stop fertilizing, reduce watering and do not prune. Whatever is needed to be done it will be done at the end of winter, start of spring! Winter is an easy season perfect for gardeners to relax

Due to climate change the survival of plants is becoming more difficult nowadays. You need to take action in time because winter is always the most difficult time for your plants to survive. 

Find in a flower store near your house great and beautiful plants that can withstand very cold and frost, but there is a way to protect them without much effort and will adorn your balcony and the interior of your home.