Guardians of Green: Your Essential Guide to Winterizing Evergreens

As autumn paints the landscape with fiery hues, our evergreen trees and shrubs stand as silent, steadfast sentinels, promising year-round color. But don't let their hardy appearance fool you; these emerald jewels need our attention now to truly shine through winter's icy grip. Preparing your evergreens in fall is not just good practice—it's essential for their survival and a vibrant return in spring.

The key to winter evergreen success lies in proactive care, focusing on hydration, insulation, and protection.

Let’s dive into the critical steps you can take to safeguard your leafy companions.

Deep Watering: The Thirst Quencher for Winter

One of the most common causes of winter damage to evergreens is dehydration, often called 'winter burn.' While the ground may be frozen, the evergreens' needles continue to transpire, losing moisture.

If their roots can't draw water from the frozen soil, the needles will dry out and turn brown. The solution? Deep, consistent watering in the fall, right up until the ground freezes solid.

Start watering generously after leaves have fallen from deciduous trees, typically late October through November.

Provide a slow, steady soak, ensuring the water penetrates deep into the root zone, not just the surface. For newly planted evergreens, this is even more critical. Aim for about an inch of water per week, either from rain or your hose, until temperatures consistently drop below freezing. This reservoir of moisture will be their lifeline through the cold months.

Mulching: Nature's Winter Blanket

Once your evergreens are thoroughly watered, a layer of mulch becomes their cozy winter blanket.

A 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips, shredded bark, or pine needles, spread around the base of your evergreens (keeping it a few inches away from the trunk) offers a multitude of benefits:

• Moisture Retention: It helps retain the moisture from your fall watering, preventing rapid evaporation.
• Temperature Stabilization: Mulch insulates the soil, buffering extreme temperature fluctuations.

  This reduces frost heave, where freezing and thawing cycles can push shallow-rooted plants out of the ground.

• Weed Suppression: A bonus benefit, it keeps winter weeds at bay.

Apply mulch after the first few hard frosts, allowing the soil to cool, but before it completely freezes.

This helps keep the soil consistently cold, preventing premature thawing during mid-winter warm spells which can trick plants into thinking spring has arrived.

Protecting from Wind and Sun: Shield Your Evergreens

Winter winds can be relentless, especially in open, exposed areas. These winds, combined with bright winter sun reflected off snow, can exacerbate moisture loss from evergreen needles, leading to severe winter burn.

Consider these protective measures:

• Burlap Wraps or Screens: For smaller, more vulnerable evergreens, especially those recently planted or in exposed locations, burlap is your best friend. Create a windbreak by staking posts around the plant and wrapping burlap around them, or gently wrap the plant itself.

  Ensure there's still some air circulation.

• Anti-Desiccant Sprays: These sprays create a waxy coating on the needles, reducing moisture loss. Apply them in late fall on a mild, non-windy day when temperatures are above 40°F (4°C). Reapply if temperatures permit during mid-winter, especially after heavy rains.

  Always follow product instructions carefully.

• Snow Management: While snow can be an excellent insulator, heavy snow or ice accumulation can break branches. Gently brush off heavy snow from branches with a broom, moving upwards to avoid damaging the plant. Avoid shaking or hitting frozen branches, as they are brittle.

Pruning and Pest Patrol: A Final Check

Late autumn is generally not the time for heavy pruning of evergreens, as new growth stimulated by pruning won't harden off before winter and could be damaged.

However, it's a good time to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. This not only cleans up the plant but also removes potential entry points for pests and diseases.

While inspecting, keep an eye out for any signs of lingering pests or diseases. Address minor issues now, or make a plan for early spring treatment, to prevent them from escalating over winter.

A healthy plant is a resilient plant.

By investing a little time and effort this autumn, you’ll ensure your evergreens sail through winter’s challenges, emerging robust and ready to greet the spring with their characteristic, vibrant green. Your efforts will be rewarded with year-round beauty, making your garden a testament to enduring life, even in the coldest months.