What the Winter Weather Means for Our Gardens 

We’re finally seeing some green again, just in time for Saint Patrick’s Day! After this winter, you may have feelings of worry about your gardens mixed in with the usual excitement for growth. The past few months may have seemed abnormally cold, but in fact, the past few winters have actually been abnormally warm. You may be pleasantly surprised this Spring, as the recent weather has provided our gardens with a vital “reset”.  

Here are some things to note about what the weather this winter means for our gardens:  

• Snow is a perfect insulator for roots, protecting them from potential damage caused by repeated freezing and thawing. This is also good news for our soil biome; all those little microbes have been kept safe and warm under there. 
• Gradual snowmelt waters the soil gradually and deeply, and also contains nitrogen, pulled from the atmosphere, to feed your plants! 
• A “real” winter helps our landscape plantings conserve energy and prevents premature budding and stress. Most of our trees, shrubs, and perennials are well-adapted and will emerge strong and healthy. 
• Overwintered pest insect populations have a lower survival rate (mites, aphids, and some beetles). 
• Some fungal pathogens are halted, helping to restore balance between your plants and diseases that have thrived with recent mild winters. 
  

What about storm damage? Here are some tips: 

• Start with a sweep through your yard and garden, now that you can see the ground again, picking up any debris.  
• Restore any leaning or flattened shrubs and trees by staking them up. Remember to loosen any ties later in the season to prevent choking the plant. Come by the store for help choosing the right support for your plant. 
• Add compost and mulch to the base of your plants and beds, and mix in some organic granular fertilizer. Apply a product containing soil microbes to give struggling plants a boost (Bio-Remedy, Seed & Plant, or Fish Brew’s Rise & Thrive). 

• Trim off broken branches with sharp, clean pruners or a saw, making slanted cuts. Don’t leave broken limbs with jagged edges, as that leaves extra surface area for bacteria to build up or bugs to live in. If you’re in need of a new set of pruners, we have plenty of options in store. 

Visit our store on March 14^th from 10am-1pm to get your tools professionally sharpened at the EverSharp pop-up! 

• Let stripped trees heal themselves; do not add wax, tar, or any kind of “bandage”. Speak to an arborist with further concerns. 

With new plants arriving in our nursery, spring bulbs in stock, and all the Spring essentials lining the shelves, we have hope for color once again! Hyannis Country Garden looks forward to guiding you through another season of growing!