{"id":5529,"date":"2022-12-08T02:37:13","date_gmt":"2022-12-08T07:37:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/?p=5529"},"modified":"2022-12-07T23:38:14","modified_gmt":"2022-12-08T04:38:14","slug":"how-to-winterize-perennials-in-5-simple-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/2022\/12\/08\/how-to-winterize-perennials-in-5-simple-steps\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Winterize Perennials in 5 Simple Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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With a little work now, you’ll be rewarded with a healthier and more colorful garden next spring.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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In the fall, most perennials start winding down and\u00a0going dormant for the colder months<\/a>. We show you how to winterize perennials so they’ll come back in good shape next spring. A little work during the pleasant autumn days will set you up for a lush, healthy perennial garden once the weather warms up again. However, don’t be tempted to\u00a0start winter preparation<\/a>\u00a0too early. Wait until temperatures consistently stay on the cool side and plants have mostly stopped growing. Then, use these tips to tuck your perennials in for a long winter’s nap.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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1. Take Stock<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The end of the growing season is the perfect time to assess the perennial garden. All the successes and\u00a0challenges will be fresher<\/a>\u00a0in your mind than next spring, when your memories of the previous season may have faded. Look with a critical eye, pairing your vision for the space with how the plants are growing.<\/p>

Which\u00a0perennials thrived<\/a>? Which ones struggled, and can any of those plants be moved to a better spot? Are there planting areas that need a burst of color in a particular season? Take time to\u00a0walk through the garden and make notes<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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2. Remove Weeds<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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As your perennials begin slowing down, some weeds that prefer cooler weather start flourishing, and many weeds can overwinter. Even tiny weeds have the potential to quickly turn into monsters next spring. Ruthlessly move through the garden, pulling or\u00a0digging unwanted plants<\/a>\u00a0out by the root. If weeds are tough to pull up, water the area deeply to loosen the soil, which allows roots to slide out more easily.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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3. Water Well<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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For most plants, fall hydration is critical for overwintering success. Thoroughly water the garden before the ground freezes if your area experiences a dry autumn and soil feels dry to the touch two inches or so below the surface. Letting a sprinkler run for a while in your perennial beds is a good way to make sure water soaks deeper into the soil than just giving everything a\u00a0squirt from the hose<\/a>. Conserve water by carefully\u00a0applying water directly to the roots<\/a>\u00a0of the plant.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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4. Clean Up Diseased or Damaged Foliage<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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It’s best to cut back plants\u00a0plagued by insects<\/a>\u00a0or disease to ground level. Removing affected foliage is a valuable tactic in preventing the pest or disease from returning next year. On the other hand, leave healthy perennials standing in the garden through winter. Their foliage provides some insulation for the plant’s crown, or growing point. Also, the leaves and stems offer valuable shelter for\u00a0beneficial insects<\/a>\u00a0and animals, and seed heads are\u00a0winter buffets for birds<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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5. Mulch Perennials Selectively<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Not all plants need an extra\u00a0layer of mulch<\/a>\u00a0to make it through winter. Mulch can be detrimental to some plants, trapping moisture against stems and leading to rot. There are three situations where mulch is recommended:<\/p>

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