By Jennifer Fairfield, owner Garden Mill
We’ve been really lucky with the weather we’ve had lately. The temperatures have mostly been above average, and we haven’t seen a whole lot of snow.
For Southeast Michigan, that’s pretty amazing, considering it’s already December. If you haven’t had a chance to get all of your fall clean-up chores done in your yard or garden, you probably still can – but don’t wait too long: you know we’re really pushing it with the weather.
What can you still do?
Believe it or not, there’s still time to plant bulbs in SE Michigan. With daytime temperatures as we have had and expected highs in the low 40s mid- to upper-30s for the next 10 days or so, the ground hasn’t frozen yet, so take the opportunity to get in some last-minute bulbs.
If you don’t want to plant them outside, you can also force some bulbs indoors this winter. Tulips and daffodils in bloom in your house in March can provide a welcome breath of spring, when it’s still winter outdoor and you can’t really do any gardening. You’ll need to provide your bulbs with a chilling period first – for as long as 12 weeks – so now’s the time to start.
If you’d like more information on how to force bulbs, come into the store or send us an email, and we’ll be happy to get you the details.
Once the ground has frozen, pile mulch on top of your perennials to help protect them from changing temperatures throughout the winter. Frost heave can cause damage to plants when roots are pushed up out of the soil as the soil “heaves” up when freezing causes it to expand. Frost heave usually happens when the soil thaws and then freezes again. These are harsh conditions that can cause serious damage to plants, but a good mulch cover can keep the soil frozen during the winter and help to prevent damage.
Consider spraying evergreens with an anti-desiccant to help keep them from drying out in the cold winter winds. When the ground is frozen, plants can’t take up water, and evergreens especially can lose what water they do have when it’s windy.
An anti-desiccant puts a thin, waxy layer on the needles that helps the plant retain moisture. It’s important to wait until the plants are fully dormant – usually around the time that the soil is completely frozen, and to follow the directions on the label. These products can also be very effective at keeping cut greens, including wreaths, garland, and greens in arrangements looking fresh throughout the holiday season.
The other thing to do to help keep your evergreens from drying out is to give them a wind screen. Burlap is a great choice, because it allows some air flow, but provides protection from the worst drying effects of the wind. Drive stakes into the ground before the ground is frozen, and then attach the burlap to the stakes – I use cable ties, commonly referred to as “zip” ties.
The burlap screen should be placed along the west and southwest sides of the plant – and possibly all around, depending on where your plants are placed, and how much wind they are getting. Don’t totally cover the plants – leave the top open – so they can get some sun throughout the winter.
The University of Minnesota Extension has a really good article on protecting your plants from all kinds of winter injuries, which can include things like wind, sun, ice, snow, and animals.
It looks like we may be spared the extremely cold temperatures this winter, but may be in for some significant snow, if the weather people can be believed. If that turns out to be true, be careful about removing snow from tree and shrub branches.
Heavy snow can weigh down and potentially break branches, but it’s easy to do more harm than good, if you’re not careful. Use a broom, and gentle upward motions to sweep away the snow. Banging on frozen branches to shake off snow can break them.
During winter, birds can use all the help they can get in the form of food, water, and shelter. Keep you feeders full, so that the birds don’t have to waste precious energy searching for food. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has an article on feeder placement and plantings that can provide shelter for your birds while they are feeding. While you’re stuck inside this winter, you can use this to make plans for what to do in your yard in the spring.
Clean out birdhouses, and leave them out all winter, if they are not susceptible to breakage from freezing temps. Birds will be thankful for an empty birdhouse to huddle together in to keep warm at night.
Consider putting a de-icer in your birdbath, so that your birds have a source of fresh water all winter. Or, consider a heated birdbath, which keeps even more of the water in your birdbath ice-free. Water is as essential as food for birds as much as for us, and it becomes much harder to find in the winter, when you’re a bird. Plus – watching birds in a bath on a snowy winter day can provide hours of entertainment.
