Lawns can suffer significantly over the winter. The freezing temperature may damage or even kill the roots of the plants, and the accumulation of snow and ice might compact the soil leading to less-than-healthy lawns.
One of the first outdoor tasks for home gardeners is to evaluate winter damage to their flowers as spring approaches. Undoubtedly, some plants will have mushy or brittle stems, discolored leaves, or burned buds, prompting others to wonder if the plant is still alive.
It’s possible to be fooled by appearances, but the plant isn’t necessarily dead just because the stems and foliage are unattractive. Here are some tips to make your flower garden bloom again after a severe winter.
Water
Hydrate any injured plants thoroughly, and as the spring weather begins to warm up, keep an eye on the soil’s health. Water it roughly once a week if it continues to be dry. The soil should not be completely dry or completely wet. The optimum times to water are in the early morning or late at night when the spring sun won’t burn the water off.
It may be wise to reconsider the pump you use on your lawn if your region is experiencing drought or water constraints. Invest in a high-quality irrigation pump from PumpBiz to ensure your flower garden never runs dry.
Mulch
A thin mulch layer will help retain soil moisture and deter competing weeds. Don’t pile mulch up against trunks or stems; keep it to a layer no thicker than two inches. Leaf mold, made up of crushed and partially decomposed leaves, is ideal since it rots quickly and feeds the soil.
If necessary, add topsoil.
You can add topsoil to your yard if it currently has packed clay soil or soil that is otherwise unsuitable for plant life. A healthy lawn requires six inches of topsoil to thrive. You can learn more about your soil’s makeup and if it is friendly to native plant life by contacting a nearby nursery or university home extension.
Feed
Your flowers will develop faster if they receive a small amount of slow-release fertilizer. You can choose to use chemical or organic feed; follow the instructions and err on the side of too little rather than too much. Also, keep in mind that there will be plenty of general flowering and leafing out in the coming weeks to divert your attention from the winter’s damaged survivors.
Aerate the Soil
Winter can compact the ground quite firmly. This is common if your soil has a high percentage of clay. However, any soil can result in the hard-packed ground. Because there isn’t enough air, the compacted earth cannot sustain thriving plant growth.
The remedy is to aerate the soil. You should begin aerating when the earth is no longer frozen. Poking holes into the soil spaced apart is one easy approach. A plug aerator is also available for rent or purchase. Get your rental or purchase order early because these are frequently in high demand in the early spring.