Conifers: 7 conditions for successful wintering of conifers

Conifers such as thujas, yews, cypresses, pines and spruces, which were brought from other countries, sometimes cannot survive in our harsh conditions. Therefore, in order to help them survive the winter, these evergreens need to be prepared for the cold in advance.

Conifers: conditions for successful wintering

Plants that were grown in our nurseries are much easier to adapt to winter than those that were brought from the southern regions and other countries. But despite the origin, all the seedlings of these plants must be prepared for winter.

Conifers: water charging irrigation

Conifers need watering throughout the summer season. Since these are moisture-loving plants, the lack of moisture affects them badly, worsens their immunity and resistance to pests and diseases.

In autumn, the plant needs water-charging irrigation. That is, you need to saturate the soil around the plants with water, since moist soil retains heat better than dry soil. For each plant, it is necessary to pour from 5 to 8 liters of water, depending on the size of the tree or shrub. You can water the plants in the fall when deciduous trees have lost all their foliage. Young conifers, which were planted this season, especially need water-charging irrigation, since they still have a small root system and will not be able to obtain water for themselves in winter. If the summer was hot, then adult plants, the same will not hurt to water for the winter.

Reducing feeding

From the middle of summer, from about the second half of July, the conifers stop feeding with nitrogen. Since nitrogen provokes the growth of new shoots and needles, and in order not to freeze in winter, all the needles must be adult. Therefore, since July, conifers are fed only with potassium and phosphorus. At the end of summer, feeding is stopped altogether. Conifers can be fed with the "Autumn" fertilizer, which contains all the necessary nutrients. It is the only one intended for fruit and berry crops, therefore, when using it on conifers, the dose is reduced.

Treatment against diseases and pests

In the fall, all conifers are treated with various substances from pests and diseases. Even if there is no damage to the plant, it is still sprayed for prophylaxis. All dry and broken branches are removed before processing. The spoiled needles are also removed. All cut parts are burned.

For spraying, use a 1% solution of copper sulfate or a solution of "Fitosporin". To obtain a 1% solution of copper sulfate, 100 grams of the drug is diluted in 10 liters of warm water. For dissolution, use only a plastic bucket or basin. The mixture is filtered before use.

Plants are processed in calm, warm and dry weather.

After using a solution of vitriol or "Fitosporin", after two weeks the conifers are treated with any insecticide.

Conifers: mulching

The roots of plants from winter frosts can be protected by mulch (straw, sawdust, tree bark, needles or cut grass). Mulch is laid out in a near-stem circle around the perimeter of the crown, in a layer of 7-10 cm.

It is imperative to mulch the soil around young plants that have not yet adapted to our conditions. Collect needles, leaves or grass for mulch only from healthy plants, otherwise you may infect your conifers.

Shelter from snow and frost

Heavy snowfalls can damage tree crowns and break twigs.But if this does not happen, then heavy snow will ruin the decorative crown of trees, for example, in thuja, yew, juniper. Therefore, for these trees, it is better to tie the crown for the winter, namely to wrap the crown in a spiral with a rope.

Young trees and shrubs that are less than three years old need to be covered for the winter. Burlap can be used as a covering material. It protects well from the cold and is breathable.

Also, many gardeners wrap conifers with gauze. Agrofibre can be used, but in early spring it must be removed so that the plant does not come out. In stores, you can find special nets for shelter, probably the best option. You can also buy caps, besides the fact that they protect the plants from the cold, they also look beautiful on them. They are easy to use, just put on and tighten at the bottom.

Conifers that were planted this year need to be strengthened with stretch marks, as they still have a weak root system, which may not resist in strong winds or heavy snowfall. Pegs are driven into the ground around the trunk of the tree. Several ropes are tied to the table of a tree or shrub with one end, and the other is fixed on driven pegs.

Conifers: sun protection in spring

In spring, when sunny days become more and more, conifers need to be protected from the sun. Since it causes burns to the needles. More needles suffer from the light that is reflected from the snow. Therefore, the snow around the tree must be covered with earth, or ash.

Horizontal juniper protection

This type of juniper is considered a ground cover, since its branches are almost on the ground i.e. lie in the horizontal plane. This plant does not need shelter for the winter. But in spring, when the snow melts, its branches can stay in the water for a long time, which of course has a bad effect on the plant. To protect the branches from water, place stones, bricks or other non-rotting material under them in the fall.

As you lead, you do not need extra efforts to prepare conifers for winter. In autumn, do not neglect them and your trees will survive the winter perfectly.