Sensitive to low temperatures are: Lawson's cypress, rhododendrons, eastern bay leaves, warty barberry, Juliana barberry. We cover small bushes with fir, and larger bushes with corrugated paper or non-woven mulch. These covers protect plants from cool drying winds when the soil is frozen and the plants are unable to absorb water through the root system. Plastic foil is not suitable for winter protection, as it increases frost damage. Symptoms of plants that lost a lot of water during the winter are visible on the shoots - the skin is wrinkled, the leaves turn brown, and in rhododendrons they curl up into a tube.
Decorative garden
We control the tubers,onions and carps.In January, as in every winter month, we check the storage conditions and he alth of dahlia carp, bulbs of gladiolus, crocosmia, begonias and gallonia bulbs, tiger beetles, ismen and oriental lilies. Remember that the underground parts of these perennials are best stored in openwork boxes, covered with peat, sawdust or sand, in rooms with a temperature of 3-10 C.
We adjust the covers.We check the condition of the winter cover of the plants, which protects them not only against frost, but also against strong sunlight and drying wind. If necessary, thicken the insulating layer and adjust the mounds, mats, mulches.
We sow begonias.We sow seeds of constantly flowering and tuberous begonia, as well as pelargonium. The seeds are sown in a projection in boxes or pots filled with a peat substrate or a mixture of leaf earth, sand and peat in the proportion of 3: 1: 1.The substrate should be level, lightly compacted and moist. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of dry, roasted sand, preferably sifting through a sieve and then glass or transparent foil. This allows you to maintain the appropriate moisture content of the substrate. Place the containers in a warm and bright place. Remove the glass after the seeds have germinated. We water it so as not to dry the substrate and not to rinse or damage the seedlings.
Winter garden work.Winter is a dead season for the gardener. Even in winter, however, you can do a lot of gardening work. On warm, snow-free days, you can do cleaning work, such as raking leaves or cutting out dried shoots. It is also worth checking that the covers and frost protection have not been damaged, and if so, repaired.
We are planning future plantings.Still in winter it is good to consider new plantings in the garden. This allows you not only to plan your garden work well, but also to avoid randomness in rebates.When considering the selection of plants, we should first decide on the theme of the discount. It is very often the color, e.g. in warm or cold tones, white flowerbeds are also beautiful. A plant formation, such as a steppe or a forest, can also be such a motif. When selecting plants, you should also pay attention to their growth strength, flowering date and requirements. The bed should be varied in height (the tallest plants should be planted at the back of the bed), and it should also bloom throughout the growing season. When planning, it is worth getting acquainted with the offer of plants in nurseries and planning only those species and varieties that will be available.
Flowers in the house
We wash the plants.In winter, when plants suffer from a shortage of light due to a short day and low solar radiation intensity, we should take special care of the leaf surface. Dust accumulating on it not only clogs the stomata, hindering gas exchange, but also restricts the access of light.Therefore, we should regularly remove dust from plants. Rinse species with small or heavily indented leaves with a stream of lukewarm water, while large-leaved plants are dusted with a slightly damp cloth.
A substrate for pots.The period of transplanting and reproducing potted plants is about to begin. It is worth preparing in advance and providing the necessary tools and materials, especially the appropriate substrate (with particular emphasis on its physical properties) and drainage. These can be ready-made substrates or self-made mixtures of peat (usually deacidified), sand, perlite and garden soil. For drainage, let's use broken clay pots, thick gravel or expanded clay.
Rooters.Let's also consider the selection of aesthetic pots so that they emphasize the habit of plants and add charm to the interior. If we decide to propagate by cuttings, it is good to buy rooting stimulants.The most convenient will be powders, such as Ukorzeniacz or Korzonek.
Loss of vitality.If our favorite potted plant is clearly deteriorating, a change of place is necessary, because the lack of light causes the loss of vitality. Weakened plants should be watered very carefully, because in this state the excess moisture can harm them.
When leaves lose their color.At this time of year, colored houseplants often turn bright green, adapting to the reduced amount of light. To make unfavorable changes less visible, specimens with colorful leaves should be placed in the brightest places in the room.
We extend the life of poinsettias.In order for the star of Bethlehem, popular at Christmas, to enjoy its view for a long time, we must follow a few basic care recommendations. First of all, the poinsettias should be placed on the window sill (if it stands away from the window for too long, it sheds the colored flowers).Keep the soil in the pot slightly moist (excess water causes the roots to rot!). Stems cut into a vase will last for about 2 weeks if their ends are briefly placed in hot water.
Vegetable
No padding only until the first frost.In order for parsnips to develop a sweet nutty flavor, the soil on the flower bed must freeze well. However, beware! When the roots freeze and thaw many times, the quality of the vegetable will deteriorate. Therefore, after the first frost, the root ball should be protected with a compost bedding.
Where planning, there is power.When preparing a plot plan, we should take into account the different needs of plants for basic nutrients and humus. The high demand for this organic improver is found, among others, by potatoes, herbs and corn. It is now worth supplying the stands for their cultivation with mature compost at a dose of 3-5 l / m2.
Mushroom picking is easier than ever.The popularity of home mushroom cultivation is growing every year. They are perfect for this, among others oyster mushrooms, offered in bales overgrown with mycelium. Mushrooms can be grown in the garage, basement and also outdoors.
Air-conditioned storage room with vegetables.High air humidity, accompanied by a positive temperature, is a good opportunity to ventilate the vegetable cellars.
Sad
We remove mummies.The dried fruit that remains on the trees is called mummies. As they cannot be used as food for animals in this form, they should be carefully disposed of. Besides, they can be a source of dangerous fungal diseases.
Strawberries are covered.If the soil surface is not covered with snow, frost can harm strawberries. That is why we cover the soil around the roots with straw mulch, and the leaves with spruce branches.
Trees and shrubs
In winter we can also water.Don't forget to water plants growing in containers placed on terraces and balconies, where rainwater does not get in.
Plants with tied flower buds. This group includes shrubs and trees that bloom on last year's shoots. They already hibernate with flower buds. Examples of plants in this group are: magnolias, fragrant viburnum, Japanese viburnum, English viburnum, witch hazel, witch hazel, garden hydrangea, tree peony, eastern redbud. During cold winters, the shoots, buds and roots of these plants may freeze. They are secured by covering the soil surface with a 40 cm layer of coniferous branches or a 20 cm layer of sawdust and bark. This will protect the root system of these plants from freezing. The above-ground part of young specimens should be secured with straw or non-woven mulch.
Protection of conifers against snow.Cylindrical and columnar forms break under the weight of wet snow in winter. It is worth tying them with wire or a strong string. You can also permanently install rims made of plastic or copper wire.
Protection
We care for the he alth of indoor plants.We check the he alth of indoor potted plants. Too dry air promotes the development of many pests.
Infected bulbs.Remove rhizomes, bulbs, tubers and stored root vegetables with symptoms of infection.
Snow caps.We remove excess snow from tree branches and shrubs.
Protection against mold.If snow has fallen on unfrozen soil and remains on the lawn for a long time, brush it aside to prevent the formation of snow mold.
We collect mummies.We remove mummies from fruit trees that can be a potential source of fungal infections.
