Fallen snow does not have to be removed from plant beds. It is a good insulator and helps moderate changes in soil temperature. Pile shoveled snow on an unused area of pavement instead of on plants or turf, especially if snow contains de-icing materials. Carefully remove excessive amounts of snow from tops of evergreens. Spread de-icing products on the center of the area you are treating and let the melting action work itself slowly out to the edges of the area, reducing the concentration entering plant beds and turf. Avoid using heavy amounts of de-icing material such as calcium chloride and potassium chloride. Such products are intended to loosen ice and melt minor amounts of snow, not to replace shoveling or to melt snow completely during a continuous snowfall. Any product, even safer ones made from 100 percent fertilizer, will burn plant material if used in excess.
Party crashers: Watch for deer and rodent damage. A hot-pepper spray or a similar product available at nurseries can help deter the animals. Protect susceptible woody plants with mesh netting or chicken-wire collars.
Examination time: Assess deciduous trees and shrubs and prune out crossed branches, lateral water sprouts and suckers. Thin out horizontal branches that are rubbing or crowding other branches to open up the interior of the plant. Avoid any flush cuts or leaving unnecessarily long stubs behind. Cut just outside the branch collar or where the branch widens prior to meeting the trunk. Leave any major pruning tasks until late winter. Deciduous shrubs that bloom in spring should not be pruned or else next season’s flower buds will be removed.
Moving indoors: Check houseplants for leaf discoloration or a light webbing that can be caused by spider mites. Clean with insecticidal soap. Water houseplants at least once a week; heating dries them out more frequently.
Enjoy the respite: Don’t be in a hurry to cut back or clean up the landscape. Ornamental kale, cabbage and Swiss chard last well into late fall or early winter. Rose hips add color and focal interest. Ornamental grasses and plants, especially those with seedpods, provide sculptural accents against a blanket of snow.
Check it out: Visit the Chicago Botanic Garden, The Morton Arboretum, Lincoln Park Zoo or Brookfield Zoo for winter design ideas. Check for color, berries and seedpods. Enjoy floral displays at area conservatories.
