2021 blew by in a hurry and it’s hard to believe we’re already into the last month of the year! As we turn the corner into winter, take some time to prepare and protect your property before the freezing frosts arrive. Scan through these tips to help preserve your landscaping throughout the winter months.
The winter frosts can catch many of us off guard on the Central Coast, if you aren’t prepared it can lead to losing some of your favorite plants. Many local gardeners include a luscious, tropical plant pallet in their yards. For years, it has been said that Santa Cruz shares much in common with the Hawaiian Islands due to our mild climate and surfing culture. We have taken many landscaping trends from Hawaii and I’m sure if you’ve ever traveled to the paradise, you have come back with a desire to add more tropical plants to your yard. Besides many of these plants being in the high-water use category, another issue is that they are susceptible to freezing and then major dieback. These plants hold a large amount of water in their trunk and leaves, so when the temperature drops below 32, it can lead to major issues.
One of the first things you can do to protect sensitive plants is to install a thick layer of mulch to help insulate the soil and the plant trunks. I recommend between 3 and 4 inches of mulch for most landscapes.
Next is to avoid planting frost-susceptible plants in the later part of the year. Newly installed plant material has a higher risk of freezing than more established plants.
Be aware of your location, a house located on The Point in Santa Cruz will not be as exposed to frost as a house located in the hills of Scotts Valley. Knowing how cold your property will get can help guide your plant selection ideas.
If you have plants that can be affected when the temperature drops below freezing, it’s important to cover them up with some type of protection the night before a big freeze. You can use many different types of products to accomplish this, including DIY and homemade solutions. For small plants, you can cut the bottom off of water bottles and place those over the plant. For larger plants, utilizing a frost blanket or specialized Ag fabric can help preserve their health. This is probably the most drastic, but effective way to ensure your plants survive the cool season.
Lastly, make sure your irrigation controllers are turned off during the winter months. Many folks will forget to turn off their controller and the added moisture during a frost can wreak havoc on your sensitive plant material.
Stay warm friends!