Repairing Winter Damage in the Garden

Winter damage to shrubs and trees could be extensive this year, given the severe weather that battered many parts of the U.S. While winter damage to plants can be distressing, often it is not fatal and, with a little patience and attention, your garden can recover and thrive again. Here are 6 tips for repairing winter damage in the garden.

Be Patient. Shrubs and trees that look irreparably damaged or even dead during the bleak days of winter may be more resilient than you think, showing renewed signs of life in the spring. Therefore, in order to better identify permanent damage and to limit the extent of your pruning, wait until temperatures rise and your garden begins to revive before bringing out your pruning shears and removing dead limbs. An exception is a broken branch that is a hazard, for example because it could break off in a strong wind and become a dangerous missile or because it could do further damage to the plant.

Remove Dead Branches Completely. When you prune damaged shrubs or trees, be sure to completely remove the dead limbs by cutting them back to slightly above a leaf bud or live branch.

Inspect Plants for Wind or Sun Damage. Inspect shrubs, especially evergreens, for damage from wind or sun. Often such damage, which will appear as brown foliage, will be on the side of the plant where it is most exposed to the elements. The damage may only be to the leaves or foliage and, given time, the plant may recover. Therefore, it is a good idea to wait until well into the spring before trimming away dead areas to ensure that you are not cutting away viable stems.

Watch for Desiccation. Frigid winter winds, chilly temperatures and frozen soil can contribute to desiccation or drying out of shrubs and trees during a harsh winter. Plants that are beneath eaves or overhangs or in open, unprotected areas may be especially vulnerable. Be sure that parched shrubs and trees get plenty of water, especially as temperatures begin to rise in the early spring.

Look for Salt Damage. In regions with heavy snowfalls during the past winter, look for salt damage on shrubs and plants located near roads, driveways, and sidewalks. Dry, brown foliage may be a sign of salt damage. Unless the damage is severe, the plant or shrub probably will recover on its own. However, salt may have leached into the soil and can have an ongoing detrimental effect on the plant. It should be flushed out of the soil by watering the area around the base well two or three times over several days in the spring. Also rinse away salt residue on the leaves.

Provide Plenty of Tender Loving Care. Shrubs and trees damaged by severe winter weather can benefit from a little more tender loving care in the new growing season that usual, including generous mulching, careful watering, and appropriate fertilizing.

Sources:

Mary Robson, gardening.wsu.edu, 12-17-00 Winter Damage to Plants

Bonnie Lee Appleton, www.finegardening.com, Preventing and Repairing Winter

Damagewww.northeastnursery.com, Helpful Hints: Time to Assess and Repair Winter Damage to Your Plants