Tips for caring for plants in winter

Winter is a season that in temperate regions we associate with cold, frost and snowfall. The plants that live in these places slow down their growth rate at the end of the summer in order to better withstand the new conditions that they will have just a few months later.

When we grow potted plants or when we have a garden, we can do several things to help them. If you don’t believe me, follow our tips for caring for plants in winter , and you’ll see how they arrive healthy in spring.

Index

  • 1 Irrigation
    • 1.1 Pay attention to the weather forecasts
    • 1.2 Water with warm water
    • 1.3 Take advantage of sunny days to water
    • 1.4 Check soil moisture
  • 2 Location
  • 3 Subscription

Irrigation

metallic watering can

Pay attention to the weather forecasts

Irrigation is very important during all seasons of the year, but controlling it in winter is even more difficult. We can irrigate one day and the next day it starts to snow, with the consequent risk of root freezing that this would entail. To avoid this, it is very necessary that we pay attention to the weather forecasts, especially if we live in an area where frost and snowfall are frequent, and do not water if there is forecast of rain or snow the next day or within two days .

Water with warm water

Water at room temperature can be very cold, too cold for the roots of some plants (like those we have indoors). For this reason, it is highly advisable to temper it, either by putting it in a pot or in a container in the microwave to warm it up a bit , until it reaches a temperature that is not too high (it does not burn us).

Take advantage of sunny days to water

When it is winter, the best days to water are those in which the sky is clear and the temperature is a little more pleasant, since in this way we avoid running the risk of the roots suffering . But yes, if we see that the land is dry and it’s time to water as soon as possible, let’s not wait for the weather to improve: let’s water with warm water.

Check soil moisture

Before watering, it is always convenient to check the humidity of the soil or the substrate. In the coldest months of the year, it stays wet for longer, so the frequency of irrigation is less than in the rest of the year. Thus, we must introduce a thin wooden stick at different points around the plant to see how much soil or substrate has adhered to it . In the event that it comes out practically clean, it will mean that it is dry and that, therefore, it must be watered.

Location

Haworthia limifolia 'Variegated'

Cactus and succulent plants must be protected from hail, as they cause serious damage.

There are certain plants that have to be moved during the coldest months of the year as they cannot withstand low temperatures and/or snow or hail. For example:

  • Succulents (cactus and succulents): they must be in an area where they receive a lot of light but which in turn are protected from ice.
  • Tropical plants (called indoor): These plants should be protected in a heated greenhouse or inside the home in a room with plenty of natural light and protected from drafts to prevent them from feeling the cold.
  • Bonsai: the coldest (Serissa, Ficus, Carmona, Opercularya) have to be in a greenhouse or inside the house in an area that is very well lit.
  • Other plants: if we have plants that can be grown outside without problems but are very young, it is highly recommended to protect them during the first year with, at least, a thermal gardening blanket or transparent plastic. Another option is, if they are in a pot, put them near a wall or tall plants to protect them a little.

Pass

chemical fertilizer for plants

mineral fertilizer

Fertilize… in winter? Yes. But it is done not so much to feed the plants as to protect their roots from the cold . In the case of those that are planted in the ground, an organic fertilizer, such as manure or earthworm humus, can be incorporated into the soil, spreading a layer 3-4cm thick.

If they are potted plants, I recommend fertilizing them with Nitrophoska, pouring a small spoonful around them once every 15-20 days.

Flowers

We hope that these tips will be useful for you to enjoy spring to the fullest

Tips for caring for plants in winter

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