How to Protect Garden Plants in Winter?

A tree In winter should stand bare against the cold and the fruit that grows in winter (citrus fruit) has to face the same. Winter crops are planted in late summer and harvested in the winter. In winter sowing, seeds for winter are sown outdoors for spring. Winter herbs and winter-blooming plants defy chill by adding colour and life to the winter landscape. Cutting grass in winter is often minimal.

Protecting garden plants during severe winter months is important to ensure their well-being and survival, especially in cold regions where temperatures can drop significantly. Plants suffer due to a slowdown of enzymic activities inside the plant cells due to very low temperatures and subsequent slowing down of metabolic activities. 

Fig. Winter Tolerant Flowers

Contents:

• Winter Growing
• Tips  to Protect Garden Plants in Winter:
• Points to Remember
• Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)

Winter Growing:

Winter offers a great opportunity for growing various crops in ideal dry weather, ensuring good yields.

1. Trees in the Winter: 

Some common winter trees in different regions are Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara), Oak Trees (Quercus spp.), Rhododendron Trees (Rhododendron spp.), Chinar Tree (Platanus orientalis), Pine Trees (Pinus spp.), 
Bamboo (Bambusoideae), and many more. These trees, with their varying foliage, colourful flowers and characteristics, contribute to the diverse and beautiful landscapes during the winter months.

2. Fruit that grows in winter:

Winter is a great time for some fruits that are grown and harvested during the winter months. they are Guava (Psidium guajava), Oranges, Mangoes (Winter Varieties), Pomegranate (Punica granatum), Berries, Grapes, Chikoo (Sapodilla), and Pears. 

3. Winter Crops: 

Winter crops include wheat, barley, peas, mustard, fenugreek, and leafy greens like spinach and fenugreek. They thrive in cooler temperatures. They are sown in the autumn and harvested in late winter or early spring. 

Winter Crops
Cereals	Pulses
Barley.	Chickpea.
Oats	Lentils
Rye	Peas
Wheat.	Pigeon Pea.
Vegetables
Beets	Garlic
Broccoli	Kale
Broccolini	Leeks
Brussels sprouts	Mustard greens
Cabbage	Onions
Carrots	Sweet potatoes
Cauliflower	Turnip greens
Celery root	Winter squash
Fennel
Fruits
Apples	Mosambi
Avocados	Oranges
Ber (Indian Jujube)	Papaya
Custard Apple	Passion Fruit
Dates	Pears
Figs	Persimmons
Grapefruit	Pineapple
Grapes	Pomegranates
Guava.	Sapodilla (Chiku)
Kiwis	Strawberries
Kumquats	Sweet Lemon
Lemons	Tangerines

A table showing different categories of winter crops

4. Seeds for Winter Sowing: 

For winter sowing, collect seeds of cold-tolerant vegetable plants like spinach, fenugreek, carrots, radishes, and peas. Herbs like coriander, mint, and dill also can be collected. Annuals or flowers such as marigolds and pansies can add colour to the garden. 

These seeds are available in local nurseries or online retailers. Purchase from certified nurseries, government agriculture supply stores, and agriculture markets only.  

4. Winter Sow: 

Winter is the suitable time to sow winter crops that benefit from the cooler weather and moisture, resulting in better yields. Farmers and home gardeners take advantage of the winter season to ensure a successful harvest in the coming months.

5. Herbs for Winter:

Popular herbs for the winter season are coriander, mint, fenugreek, dill, parsley, and cilantro. They thrive in the cool season to offer fresh flavours to dishes. These flavorful herbs are also rich in nutrients, perfect for winter health.

6. Winter Blooming:

Several flower varieties bloom beautifully during the winter months. They add colour and vibrancy to the landscape. Marigolds, petunias, pansies, calendulas, snapdragons, and sweet peas are winter annuals.  

Winter Flowering Plants
Annuals
Alyssum	Nastrissium
Antirrhinum (Snapdragon)	Marigold
Calendula	Nasturtiums
Candytuft	Nemesia
Carnations	Nigella
Centoria	Osteospermum
Clarkia	Pansy
Cockscomb or Celosia	Petunia
Cornflower	Phlox
Dahlias	Poppy
Dianthus (Sweet William):	Salvia
Gazania	Statice
Gypsophila	Sweetpea
Larkspur	Viola tricolour
Perennials	Trees
Amaryllis	Ashoka (Saraca asoca)
Aster:	Bamboo
Christmas Cactus	Cherry
Cineraria	Deodar (Cedrus deodara)
Eranthis Hyemalis	Jamun (Syzygium cumini)
Hollyhock:	Magnolia
Ixora	Neem (Azadirachta)
Kalanchoe	Pine (Pinus spp.)
Lantana	Sal (Shorea robusta)
Milii	Sheesham (Dalbergia)
Trachelospermum	Teak (Tectona grandis)
Verbena	Viburnum

A table showing winter flowering plants

 

7. Cutting Grass in Winter:

In winter, lawn grass growth slows down, so requires less frequent mowing. Generally, the mower height is raised to leave the grass slightly longer. Taller grass protects the roots from frost. Avoid cutting grass when it's wet or frosty to prevent damage. 

Fig, Wintering Vegetables

Tips  to Protect Garden Plants in Winter:

Here are some important topics related to winter gardening to help you protect your garden plants during the winter:

1. Mulching  to Protect Garden Plants in Winter:

Apply a thick layer of organic mulch such as newspaper, paddy husk, straw, sawdust, shredded bark, and woodchips around the base of plants. This helps to retain and regulate soil temperature and keep the metabolic activities in the root system normal. It shows that mulch acts as insulation, protecting plant roots from cold injury from extreme cold.

2. Watering  to Protect Garden Plants in Winter:

Adequate watering before the onset of winter and less watering after the commencement of winter are crucial. Plants well-hydrated before winter are better able to withstand cold temperatures. Be cautious not to overwater plants, as this can lead to root rot in cold and wet conditions.

3. Windbreaks  to Protect Garden Plants in Winter:

Install green belts, windbreaks or other barriers to protect plants from cold winds. They create a warm microclimate for the plants by arresting strong gales that bring cold winds.

4. Covering to Protect Garden Plants in Winter:

Use polythene sheets, frost blankets, burlap, or old bedsheets to cover sensitive plants during frosty nights. This creates a layer of insulation, a warm microclimate and protection against frost injury.

5. Shifting Potted Plants  to Protect in Winter:
Move sensitive potted plants to sheltered areas like a porch, garage, or indoors. Potted plants are more susceptible to temperature fluctuations, as they do not receive warmth from deeper layers of the earth. So providing extra protection will be necessary.

6. Pruning  to Protect Garden Plants in Winter:
Prune dead, damaged, unnecessary or excessive branches before winter. This not only helps the plant allocate its resources more efficiently to minimum foliage but also prevents diseases from spreading during damp conditions.

7. Choose Cold-Resistant Plants  to Protect in Winter:
Do not raise plant varieties that are not well-suited to the cold climate. Cold-resistant plants are more likely to survive and thrive during these winter months.

8. Avoid Over-Fertilizing  to Protect Garden Plants in Winter:
Reduce fertiliser doses during winter. Dormant plants do not uptake nutrients for growth and development. 

Remember to tailor these ideas based on the specific needs of the plants in your garden and the local climate conditions. It's also required to observe your garden regularly and make adjustments as needed.

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Fig: Potted Plants Indoors During Winter

Conclusion:

In winter, all kinds of trees shed their leaves, seeds for winter sowing are planted in special beds, and lawn grass requires less frequent cutting. Winter fruits like oranges and pomegranates ripen, while annual flowers like marigolds bloom. Winter is ideal for sowing staple crops like wheat and mustard. It's best to water plants in the morning to prevent frost damage at night. Herbs like coriander and mint flourish in winter, adding pleasant flavour to dishes.

Points to remember

• Some trees in winter shed their leaves, appearing bare, with some evergreens providing a contrast with their greenery.
• Seeds like spinach, fenugreek, and peas are sown in winter for a spring harvest.
• As grass grows slower in winter, it requires less frequent mowing.
• Oranges, pomegranates, and citrus fruits ripen in winter to offer a juicy and nutritious treat.
• Marigolds, petunias, and pansies bloom and flower in winter to add colour and beauty to gardens and landscapes.
• Hardy vegetable and flower seeds sow in winter for early spring.
• Winter crops like wheat, barley, and mustard are sown in winter with cooler weather and moisture for growth.
• Watering plants in the morning is most favourable in winter to prevent frost damage.
• Herbs like coriander, mint, and parsley thrive in winter to add fresh flavors to winter dishes and teas.
• Winter is a suitable time for gardening, with a focus on winter crops, pruning, and caring for plants to ensure a healthy start for spring.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)

Ques: How do you keep plants alive in the winter?

Ans: Plants can be kept alive in the winter by increasing the temperature of the environment through blankets and mulching. Avoid overwatering and fertilisation.

Ques: Do plants need to be covered in winter?

Ans: The best way to protect tender plants from the winter cold and wet is to wrap them up with geofibric sheets. 

Ques: What happens to plants and flowers in winter?

Ans: The plant parts like flowers, leaves, and stalks may shrivel up, lose their colours, and die off in severe winter. The condition becomes more serious with overwatering.

Ques: How do plants survive winter?

Ans: Plants send out cellular water back into their roots and use the sap as an antifreeze at freezing temperatures. Some trees drop off all the leaves or solarise green chlorophyll into colourful pigments.

Ques: How do you save a plant in the cold?

Ans: Move the potted plants from colder to warmer areas at home, cover the immovable bushes, and water infrequently and do not apply fertilisers.