While winter is here in Florida, there are a few things that can be done to your landscape. From cold protection to adjusting your irrigation schedule to creating a colorful winter garden, here is a list of items to consider during the cooler weather.
Given below are the things you can do for your winter garden.
1. Annuals
You have several known options for cool weather if you use annuals in your landscape such as pansies, petunias, and snapdragons. You can include plants such as dianthuses, verbenas, lobelias, and strawflowers. Select compact plants with good color, healthy leaves, and look to buy plants that have many buds, not blooming flowers.
2. Cold Protection
Another garden job for the winter is cold protection. Cold fronts, freezes, and frosts mostly occur in January and February. Microclimates prevail in landscapes. Determining your microclimates will help you select the best spot to plant. When the weather drops in temperature, be sure to consider and prepare to cover temperature-sensitive plants, locate them appropriately, and address any cold damage as needed.
3. Planting Bulbs
In Central Florida, winter is also an excellent time to plant bulbs. Make sure to provide them with a protective layer of mulch to save them from cold. Most bulbs need well-drained soil and full sun, so select your location correctly before planting.
4. Watering
Landscape and lawn plants are dormant during this time of the year and require minimal irrigation. For most of the landscape, watering every 10-14 days must be enough in winter, but check for indications of drought stress. It is recommended to keep your irrigation timer on manually and water only when required. Always abide by local watering restrictions.
5. Pruning
January is the best time to prune non-spring flowering trees and shrubs to provide structure. A good tree structure is essential to prevent future harm to your plants, property, and family.
6. Relocate Shrubs and Trees
It’s best to transplant small trees and big shrubs while they are dormant during the winter months. Don’t hesitate to begin digging after the last leaf falls, and before the ground freezes. These plants will have ample time to get established and fixed in their new soil before the spring thaw arrives.
7. Add Winter Colors
Keep all four seasons in mind when selecting shrubs and plants for your landscaping. Shrubs such as Nandina Domestica, Firethorn, Winterberry, and American Beautyberry not only produce an abundance of colorful berries in your garden in winter, but they also offer food for birds and other animals, which are delightful sights as well.
Contact Down To Earth today to get winter gardening advice from our experts and hire us to prepare your landscape for winter.