Garden
Column for the Salisbury Post
Darrell
Blackwelder
January
8, 2004
Above average temperatures a week ago and below average temperatures
now, who knows what to expect. With the ice storms experienced last winter
and over abundant rain this summer, it’s best to be prepared for the
worst.
The
winter ice storm last winter spared few trees and shrubs.
Tree and shrubs were either heavily damaged or completely destroyed
by the heavy coating of ice. However, with enough notice from weather
forecasts, smaller trees and shrubs can be protected from heavy ice damage.
Wrapping branches of small trees and shrubs together prevents
splitting of limbs and branches. Bailing twine or string tied to the braches
holds limbs together preventing limb breakage. Wrapped trees or shrubs
should look similar to wrapped Christmas trees as they arrive on a lot.
Burlap can also be used as wrap around the plant. Secure the burlap with
twine or rope. Innovative
gardeners in the Northern regions experiencing consistent snow and ice use
black plastic garden netting used to keep birds out of small fruit crops as
a wrap for their plants.
Irrigating trees and shrubs in the fall and winter is also very
important to the survival when freezing weather occurs. Make sure that
plants are irrigated deeply just before the ground freezes.
Ironically, some of the driest weather during the year can be in the
fall and winter months. Irrigation
is especially vital for evergreen trees and shrubs because they transpire
moisture all winter long. Adequate soil moisture also serves as a buffer
against very low soil temperatures by
holding more heat in the soil.
Serious root damage can occur in very dry soils where the frost
penetration will be deeper and the soil temperatures much lower. Soil
moisture is low even though we’ve experienced consistent scattered
showers.
Trees and shrubs can be protected from winter damage with an
application of organic mulch. Fall and early winter is a good time to apply
mulch. Six to eight inches of coarse wood chips, bark or pine straw over the
root zone helps retain soil moisture also maintains a constant soil
temperature around the root system.
Darrell
Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. For archived
garden columns or other information, visit the Rowan County Master Gardener
web site at www.rowanmastergardener.com
, e-mail Darrell_Blackwelder@ncsu.edu
or phone at 704-633-0571.