During the winter months we tend to stay indoors and neglect our gardens. Yet, it is very important to winterize your garden to prepare it for spring. Not only does it lead to a beautiful healthy garden as temperatures warm up, it allows you to get outdoors and enjoy your landscape even when it's cold.
In Charlotte, NC we have a lot of indigenous species that require pruning in the winter. One of the most beautiful and popular varieties of shrubs is the Crepe Myrtle. Late winter is the time for pruning this tree like shrub. Not only does it help you manage the size of the plant, it promotes new growth and actually increases the amount of blooms. We found a great step by step pruning guide for Crepe Myrtles from the Grumpy Gardner.
Another shrub in our area that provides greenery all year long is the American Holly. This plant has deep green leaves and provides red berries as food for birds and squirrels. At full maturity the American Holly can get up to 20-30 ft tall. It is recommended to prune these shrubs in late fall or early winter to manage it's shape and size.
Finally one of our favorite species of vine is the Carolina Jasmine. This beautiful plant blooms little yellow blossoms mid spring and provides green leaves throughout the year. This plant should be pruned after it blooms in the spring and winter.
Another very useful practice in the Charlotte region is to winterize your sprinkler system. Many homeowners in the area do not consider it as our temperatures are fairly mild during the winter months. However, water can freeze within your pipes, leading to cracks and costly repairs. Unlike in your home, you may not notice the leak for weeks or months causing great damage to your lawn and plants via saturation (attracting fungi and bugs). There are a lot of companies that advertise winterization for your sprinkler system. We recommend shopping around for a licensed contractor that will clear your pipes and is willing to give you a price upfront. Most winterizations go for about $100.
No comments:
Post a Comment