Coping with Winter

Part 1

Robin Stanley – U.C. Master Gardener

What happened to sunny California? Many of us are beginning to feel that we have been transported to the Midwest or Canada over the last few weeks. While California gardeners are always grateful for the winter snow that keeps our reservoirs full in the summer, many of us are wondering how well we are doing at protecting our garden this winter. The last few weeks have brought a string of snowy and frosty nights to the foothills. While residents at the higher elevations may still be shoveling snow and navigating icy roads, even those at the lowest elevations have been coping with unusually cold days and nights.

While it may be too late to protect some of your most tender plants (those blacked lumps that have already started to get slimy; you know the ones), it’s not too late to minimize frost damage to some of your more “borderline” plants. By making close observations in your garden, you can also learn about the microclimates throughout your property that help you prevent more frost damage in the future. In part 1, we’ll be talking about preventing and learning from frost damage. In part 2, we’ll be discussing ways to cope with plants that have already been damaged. As you’ll see in part 2, you should “let it be” for now.

Preventing Frost Damage

¨ Select frost-tolerant plants. While it may seem too late for those plants that have already succumbed, this is a good time to make notes about what NOT to plant or replant. What plants were the first to have damage (or death)? Unless you are willing to put extra energy into protecting these varieties, don’t replace them in the same place in your yard.

¨ Get to know the “hots and colds” of your property. Note where damage was the least and the greatest on your property. Most everyone in rural El Dorado County has microclimates on their land that vary widely. Walking your property now is a good way to identify these areas. Shade, slope and wind circulation are just some of the factors that contribute to differences in temperature.

¨ Place frost-tender plants in protected areas. South facing exposures, overhangs and reflected heat from house walls can all keep marginal plants from frost damage.

¨ Protect tender plants with proper irrigation. Well watered plants are less susceptible to frost damage. Plants should not be watered right before a frost, but keeping your plants watered regularly is important prevention. Remember that plants that are in protected places often do not get watered by rain because they are covered, so they may be unusually dry.

¨ Cover or move tender plants. Boxes, cloth or paper can be used to cover plants. Try to keep the cover from contacting the plants (easier said than done, but frames can be made from sticks or garden tools). Remove covers in the morning. Does my husband enjoy having potted plants in the garage for a few nights? NO – but he also doesn’t like listening to me whine when plants die. I had plants that made it through 5 frosty nights, only to die in the 6^th (and harder) frost. I should have taken them inside.

¨ Explore other options. Some people put Christmas lights on tender plants (so those of you who haven’t yet stashed all the Christmas decorations can benefit from this suggestion). Others have tried some of the anti-transpirant products on the market. They are expensive but can be useful on some plants; be sure to follow label instructions.

In part 2 of this series, we’ll be talking about the ways to cope with plants that have already been damaged by frost. A word to the wise – don’t prune away the frost damage just yet – it can actually be protecting your plant(s) from further damage.