By Mark Robinson
Everyone who was here remembers the harsh, cold and snowy winter that Central Indiana endured a year ago, which wreaked havoc on the landscaping of some area residents. The Farmers’ Almanac is predicting another extremely cold winter this time around, so now is the time to start preparing winter protection of those prized plants, flowers and shrubs that will be facing the elements.
Dana Altum is a local expert on the subject. She operates Altum Horticulture and Landscape, 11335 N. Michigan Rd., Zionsville, a family-owned garden and landscaping company since 1958. Altum has several simple recommendations to prep those outdoor treasures for the cold months ahead.
“If people do a little this fall, it will make it a whole lot easier on the plants and them next spring,” Altum emphasized. Some tips include:
•Cleaning plant beds of leaf and other debris. “They can harbor insects and disease,” Altum said.
•Mulching beds to a three-inch layer on the ground. Altum said true mulch is better than mulching and re-using the debris cleaned from the beds. “Mulch acts as a winter blanket for plants. In particular, you should place it around the roots of any new plants.”
•Pruning brown or dead areas off perennial plants and removing annuals completely.
•Applying an anti-desiccant spray such as “Wilt Stop” to trees and plants like boxwoods, hollies, rhododendron and azaleas to help shield them from cold winds and dry air.
•Using Organic Plant Magic, which contains microorganisms that feed plants and also help break down the clay soil so prevalent in this area.
In addition, PLANET (the Professional Landscape Network, the national landscape and lawn care association) recommends making sure plants receive a good late-fall watering from Mother Nature or the garden hose and wrapping thin bark trees and plants with burlap or frost protection fabric.
Of course, proper plant placement and year-round care are the best deterrents for winter damage. For more information, contact Altum Horticulture and Landscape (733-4769 or altums.com) or visit loveyourlandscape.com.