The gardens outside are buttoned up for winter. I took advantage of the cold temperatures a couple of weeks ago to heel in the last of the plants I wanted to save over winter. Usually I like to get this job done by the first week of December.
The only plants left were some of the potted trees that I’m saving for some bonsai and other projects. In addition to my 15 years old bonsai, I tucked away a fewAlbertaspruce, some maples, a couple of tamarack and a small assortment of other potted trees.
There’s a nice sheltered area in our yard under some pine trees where the plants spend the winter.
I start out preparing an overwintering spot by digging a shallow hole that is about half the diameter of the pot. The pot goes into the hole sideways so that the plant is lying right on the ground. I take the soil dug from the hole and cover the pot.
Next, I cover the buried pot and the top of the plant with mulch. Usually I can rake up enough pine needles to do the job. This year I decided to use wheat straw because of the number of plants I had.
- Some old garden fence keeps the straw mulch from blowing away.
My success rate has been quite high using this method. Placing the pot on its side keeps out excess water that may freeze and damage the pot. Laying the trees on the ground protects the branches from extreme temperatures. The mulch protects the plants from exposure to the winter sun, which can dry out small branches. Moreover, it serves as blanket to protect the plants in case we don’t get snow cover.
The soil hasn’t frozen yet and the plants haven’t been exposed to really cold temperatures so there is still time to get those valuable plants tucked in for winter.
This year it looks like I could have waited until the first week of January. I wouldn’t want to bet on it happening again next year.
Bob