Planting in Winter
Winter is a great time to plant many new trees and shrubs as, for a lot of plants, this is their dormant season. But what does that mean? In horticultural terms, “dormant” means the plants are in their quiet, resting time of year when less energy is required for new growth, and metabolically, they are inactive. It is important to remember that the plants aren’t dead at this point, even though they sometimes look as if they are. They are simply resting.
What does that mean for us as gardeners? It gives us a great opportunity to lift and move plants without causing them too much stress. Taking them from the ground in which they are grown (our Nursery) to the place they will thrive (your garden).
It’s important to remember, though, that whilst they look like they are not doing anything, they do still require a little care and attention during this time to make sure they will be at their best when the weather changes and they are ready for the next step in their cycle…springing back to life.
Caring for newly planted trees
Hopefully, when you planted your trees, you gave them a good start with plenty of water, and the roots will now be busy underground, stretching into their new home. Even in winter, newly planted trees may need extra watering to ensure the moisture reaches their roots.
If there has been no rain, give your newly planted trees a good drenching every one or two weeks, depending on your soil and the surrounding area. This can help young transplants to settle in after the stress of being moved.
For more established trees, give them a good bucket of water once a month or every other month, depending on soil conditions.
Protect from frosts and heavy snow
If it snows heavily and the snow sits for a while, this can have a damaging effect on young or weaker branches. So make sure you clear the snow off your young hedges and trees to remove the risk of damage.
Some trees will benefit from additional protection in particularly cold weather and heavy frosts. More tender plants like fig trees, for instance, may prefer to be moved somewhere a little warmer (like a conservatory or similar, if possible). Other plants can be protected by adding a layer of mulch around the base of the trees.
Cover the ground around the plant with suitable mulch to keep moisture and warmth in.
Be careful not to cover the base of the trunk – start a few inches from the base of the trunk and spread mulch in a circle up to 2 feet wide.
Use organic matter like wood chip.
Be mindful when planting whether the location you have chosen is suitable for the plant – make sure, for instance, if it is quite exposed, that your tree can cope with these harsher conditions in winter. If it’s more susceptible to frost and wind damage, choose a more sheltered position when planting.
Winter Pruning
Winter is often a good time for pruning and tidying up your plants. Be careful to check out the best time for pruning for each plant, and follow these tips.
As a general rule, wait until mid to late winter to prune trees and shrubs that flower in summer, whilst spring-flowering shrubs and trees are better to be pruned once the flowers have finished, as they will create their new buds in autumn.
Prune on a mild and dry day as this can help prevent the spread of waterborne disease and damage – it will also be nicer for you!
Don’t prune too early in winter – wait for the leaf drop so you can see the shape of the plant better.
So winter may be a quieter time for gardening, but there are still plenty of things to enjoy in your garden. If you are looking for trees that give you beauty and interest in your garden in winter, read our Blog post "Exploring the Beauty of Trees: An Overview of Winter Interest.
