Bears, birds and insects hibernate during winter, as the seasons change we like to keep warm inside and put more layers on when we go outside and we should also look after our plants to keep them protected against harsh weather and changes. We thought we would compile a list of some suggestions for you to keep your plants healthy in the colder months.

We stock horticultural fleece and bamboo sticks (which you push deep into the earth to hold plant up and create a protective tent around the plant and wrap some bubblewrap around the create a bubble tent. Bubble wrap and horitcultural fleece are your must have for winter plant protection.

A good rule of thumb is that if the plant blooms on new growth, it can be pruned in winter, before the new season’s growth begins and after the final bloom of the year. Be careful with spring blooming shrubs—if you prune these in winter they might damage the flower buds and ruin any flowers from blooming.

• If you’re not familiar with a plant from its history in your garden, look up the hardiness rating (the coldest temperature it can typically survive). Plants for Zone 8b, 9 or warmer might need protection when the weather freezes (such as lavendar and perenials).
  
• You can come into the Leighton Buzzard garden center and ask about protective covers. You can also wrap vulnerable plants with blankets, towels, potatoe bags or something else to create insulation around the bag. Tie or weight down your cover material. Also, you can use mulch over roots of perennials or shrubs that might be affected(use mulch such as compost, leaves, wood barks or more). Push bamboo canes into the ground around the plant to be protected, and cover with horticultural fleece or bubblewrap to create a protective tent. Use string to secure it to the canes. For potted plants, wrap the pot with bubblewrap, then drape horticultural fleece over the top, and secure with string.
  
• Push bamboo canes into the ground around the plant to be protected, and cover with horticultural fleece or bubblewrap to create a protective tent. Use string to secure it to the canes. For potted plants, wrap the pot with bubblewrap, then drape horticultural fleece over the top, and secure with string. We stock a range of plant protection so come on in and visit us anytime in these hours here.

PLACE CONTAINERS IN SOME LESS WINDY SPOTS

Huddle exposed plants, especially containers against a wall or under an evergreen tree, or otherwise insulate them (as above).

We stock a range of plant protection so come on in and visit us and ask any of our friendly staff.