End-of-season bargains are a real find
Lately there have been drastic seasonal markdowns on nursery stock, a common occurrence come fall. Many retailers, from neighborhood independent garden centers to the big boxes, would rather sell plants cheaply now than invest the time and money needed to care for them over the winter. If you are willing to give one last push in your gardening efforts and invest in some plants that need a year or two and some clever pruning to look “right,” you can save yourself some serious cash.
Plant trees, shrubs and perennials as usual, but don’t put away that hose — you don’t want to let them go into winter dry, so you have to be diligent right up until the ground freezes. A heavy blanket of mulch, three inches or so (but not touching the stem), will add a layer of protection. Use chopped leaves, boughs from your Christmas tree, or whatever you have on hand.
The function of the mulch is not to stop the ground from freezing, but to prevent the plant’s exposure to a freeze/thaw cycle. The best scenario is for the ground to freeze gradually, and stay that way until it begins to thaw gradually. If it freezes, thaws and freezes again, the bulk of the plant is pushed up — “heaving” — causing some of the smaller roots to break off and exposing others to the elements.
Some terra cotta needs protection over the winter for a similar reason: Water in tiny fissures, when frozen, expands, causing little cracks. Repeat the process over and over, and you end up with flaking, larger cracks or a totally ruined pot. This is why it’s recommended to keep containers insulated by wrapping or burying them, or under shelter.
Another threat to your new plantings is desiccation — when water leaves the above-ground part of the plant and can’t be replaced by the roots, since the water in the ground is frozen and therefore unavailable. This is especially true of broad-leaf evergreens, since they have so much surface area. Again, sufficient water going into winter is key, and waxy anti-desiccant sprays can help as well.
By the way, trees, shrubs and perennials aren’t the only things on sale right now. Natural and manufactured stone, outdoor furniture, fountains and more are all reduced for quick sale.
If there’s a landscape project you’ve been planning for spring, consider modifying your schedule to take advantage.
