Pat Kriener: Be sure to protect plants when temperatures plummet

As gardeners we are so lucky because we can still garden even in the winter, but when those temperatures drop make sure your plants are watered and mulched to protect them from the extremes.

For tender plants move them inside or keep coverings ready for those dropping temperatures.

zx Annuals — Allysum, cyclamens, dianthus, English daisy, mums, pansies, primrose, stock, violas and more. Plant in front of existing perennials where you can so they will hide plants as they die back.

zx Bulbs — Forcing bulbs is always a favorite winter gardening project for paperwhites, amaryllis and calla lilies. Plant paperwhite bulbs in glass bowl or container filled with rocks and water. Add water, keep in dim light until first green shows, then place in bright light.

zx Trees — Plant trees, trees and more trees.

zx Wildflowers — I know many of you planted wildflower seed mixes in the fall and are wondering why they have not come up. Several varieties come up as seedlings in the fall, but others need the cooler weather to sprout, and other varieties may need additional rain. I know you have heard about seeds that do not sprout for years until conditions are right. That is why we seed wildflowers every spring and fall because between the birds, mice and squirrels, and weather conditions it sometimes seems like a miracle to have a dense wildflower garden in the spring.

zx Container Plants — Searching for new and different container ideas can be lots of fun. Take a friend antique shopping, shop the garage sales, or search your own cabinets. You will be amazed at how many creative containers you can find. Here are a few ideas just from the kitchen alone: old stock pots, coffee pots, tea pot, Jell-O molds, bread pans, strainers, flour sifters and teacups.

zx Compost Bin — Throw all clippings, leaves, vegetable and garden waste into the compost bin. Top-dress all beds and trees with compost. It’s a wonderful slow-release fertilizer.

zx Greenhouse — Cut heating costs by using black barrels or buckets filled with water to create solar heating in the greenhouse. The black barrels will create heat, and the water inside will help hold the heat so temperatures do not drop as rapidly. Keeping the lid closed will hold the heat in longer, but open them if humidity is needed. Also they make it handy for quick watering.

zx Herbs — Being an herbalist and an avid gardener, I want everyone to have herbs in their yard because they are a multipurpose landscape plant. Next time you need a five-foot evergreen shrub think about using rosemary. It blooms, smells great, and has many culinary and medicinal uses. Make a rosemary wreath by cutting your rosemary back about six to 12 inches, depending on how big your rosemary is and how big a wreath you want. Never cut it back more than a third of the plant. Wrap groups of three stems or more together with wire, then attach each group to a wire ring starting at 3 o’clock and work your way around until the wreath is full.

zx Fruits and Nuts — plant B and B, bare root and container grown. Existing plants mulch and top dress.

zx Lawn — Don’t bag those leaves. Mulch them for fertilizer, use them as mulch around your plants, or place in compost.

zx Mulch — If you haven’t put new mulch down, this is a great time. Pull existing mulch back and cover beds with newspaper, at least 12 sheets thick, and cover with at least three inches of mulch.

zx Perennials — Mulch at least two to three inches. Deadhead but do not cut back until we have had at least two hard freezes. Pot up tender ones if they are not too big and bring inside.

zx Roses — EarthKind roses are still in the garden centers. Top dress, mulch, plant and transplant roses. Make teas and jam with rose hips for a natural vitamin C boost this winter.

zx Problems — To learn more about plant diseases and pests contact your local Extension agent, Master Gardener or garden center.

zx Rainwater — Even in the winter we receive enough rain and have mild enough temperatures to collect rainwater to use in our beds and for our many houseplants. Put out buckets to catch rainwater. For more information on using rainwater wisely visit twri.tamu.edu/newsletters/TexasWaterSavers/tws-v3n2.pdf

zx Vegetable Garden — Start planning your spring gardens with catalogs that should start arriving soon. For an easy holiday gift circle your seed picks and give the catalog to someone who is looking for a gift for you. Vegetables to plant: hardy, low 20s — beets, Brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, collards, garlic, kale, onions, leeks and shallots. Moderatley hardy, mid- to low 20s — Swiss chard, Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi, mustard greens, radish, turnip and spinach. Less hardy, protect under 28 degrees — broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, English, snow and pod peas. Information on plant hardiness can be found in Dale Groom’s “Month-By-Month Gardening in Texas.” Clean up beds, add compost, and cover with mulch.

zx Watering — Water in a seven-day cycle if we do not receive rain.

In the spirit of sharing send a card to your favorite gardeners and include a gardening tip. Ask them to pass it on by sending a card to other gardeners with another tip just for the fun of it. All of the best gardening tips I ever learned were from other gardeners who were willing to share a little knowledge.

Happy holidays everyone!

For more information on gardening, visit www.jcmga.org or call Pat Kriener at 817-793-4625.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only. References to products and trade names are for identification only and do not imply endorsement or criticism of similar products by Johnson County Master Gardener Association or the Texas Cooperative Extension.

Pat Kriener is a Johnson County Master Gardener Wildbunch Writer from Crowley.