Many of us spend considerable time caring for our plants during the warmer weather, but as the temperatures begin to drop and frosts become a more realistic threat, you might be wondering how you can protect your plants this winter. If you can keep your flowering shrubs and plants warm, then the stems and buds are much more likely to survive.

There are a few ways to cover your plants. If you are protecting plants, like hydrangeas or rose bushes, then you can buy Styrofoam cones that cap the hydrangeas and roses during the winter. I would suggest covering the cones with leaf mulch and a few pine boughs to provide that extra warmth. Using small glass or plastic domes to cover tougher plants is a quick and cheap option. A third option would be to use burlap fabric to wrap around your plants a few times. These three options will each take approximately 15 minutes to prepare before winter and will provide you greater assurance that your plants will be healthy and blooming the following spring.

Covering your plants provides warmth, but it is essential to water thoroughly before the deep winter cold sets in. Your plants, perennials, shrubs, trees, and bushes need a thoroughly watered ground before the freezes arrive. A deep freeze can completely damage the roots of your plants and can kill even the hardiest plants. As long as you provide your plants with coverage and water, you are drastically increasing their chances of survival during the harsh winters.