Tips for the correct wintering of plants!
One of the most important parameters that should be considered when choosing plants for growing on your own plot is their winter hardiness and how the wintering of plants will affect them.
The general level of resistance to low temperatures is determined depending on the conditions and regions in which this or that variety was bred, what are its biological characteristics, and so on.
Let's look at the meaning of winter hardiness, what it represents, and how to provide the proper level of protection from low temperatures in a given period.
We should start with the fact that in each climatic zone the presence of such regions is allowed, which are completely different from each other in terms of microclimate - it can be either severe, with a predominance of low air temperatures, or with mild, sparing in relation to the crops grown.
Those crops that grow within the garden area and for which a protected place is equipped will withstand low temperatures much better than plants located in an area completely open to the influence of wind currents - this is a fundamental parameter that must be taken into account even in advance.
Remember that even the most hardy plants gradually lose their resistance to the onset of spring, since throughout the winter period they use the maximum amount of strength and resources in order to survive. In December and early January, frost resistance is most effective; by the end of February and March, it begins to weaken.
Keep in mind that without arranging protection with the help of covering materials, plants can suffer even from small and short-term temperature fluctuations, since after the beginning of the growing season they become most vulnerable to this.
Pay attention first of all to the plants that were planted in places with a high concentration of sunlight - it is here that there are sharp jumps in temperature after a cold night, when it starts to warm up sharply in the morning and afternoon.
Often, crops are damaged by burns, freeze and die off over time, so measures should be taken immediately. Use covering materials, do not allow sudden disruptions in the temperature regime, which at such a time should be at least somewhat stable. Evergreens are especially at risk, as they do not respond well to such climatic stress.
As a rule, young plants are exposed to more stress from changing temperatures, since they have not yet fully matured and adapted to new conditions. Their root system does not yet have time to settle deeply enough and is located in the upper layers of the soil, which means it is at risk of severe freezing.
Wintering of plants. Summer residents should especially carefully cover the plants in their garden, avoiding even the slightest holes in the covering material in order to avoid drafts. Basically, this should be treated with special attention in the first 3 years of plant life, until they finally take root and form.
As you might guess, different organs and parts of plants react to low temperatures in their own way, to a lesser or greater extent. The root system is the most vulnerable organ, which must be especially carefully protected during the wintering of plants - after all, if it dies, then the whole plant will follow.
Lignified shoots already have greater protection and adaptation to fluctuations, so you often do not have to worry about their safety.In those regions where frosts are characterized by a small amount of snow, it is recommended to mulch the soil around the perimeter of the planted plants - materials such as sawdust and peat are ideal for this.
A kind of shelter helps to maintain the desired temperature inside and on the surface of the soil, protects both the lower part of the shoots and dormant buds, thanks to which the plant will subsequently be able to regenerate and recover.
Thus, mulch can be used not only to retain moisture and control weeds in the summer, but also to preserve the life of plants in winter.
As for frost, one of the main threats to the gardener, there are also several ways to deal with them, the most common of which is a smoke screen.
The disadvantage of this method of wintering plants is, as you remember, that strong winds can dispel the veil, so the use of smoke is more typical for weak frosts, the temperature of which does not drop below 3 degrees and is not characterized by strong wind currents from the north.
More effective ways of wintering plants are sprinkling over the crowns of trees even before the flowers begin to freeze, as well as watering. When water gets into the soil, it emits a certain amount of heat during frost, which may be quite enough to protect vegetation from serious damage.
When choosing a plant that you will grow in your own garden, you simply cannot ignore the level of its resistance to low temperatures - especially if you live in the northern regions.
Competently equip the covering structures, do not neglect mulching and take the necessary measures to combat frost, and then your plants will definitely endure this difficult period and the wintering of plants will be calm!