WELCOME TO DECEMBER, the month in which winter begins. The days are the shortest. It is cold and snowy.
So, as winter approaches and the cold and damp persists, what do gardeners in Jefferson and Clallam County need to do?
First and foremost, I am always alarmed when I see many a North Olympic Peninsula resident beating the snow off their landscape trees after a snowfall.
I beg you, on behalf of your ornamentals, not to shake off the snow when it comes, and it is coming.
Or, at the very least, consider two factors:
1. Brush off the snow that encompasses your plant only when temperatures are above freezing.
When the thermometer is in the twenties or below, your plants are frozen and brittle.
Being so fragile, the laterals (this year’s growth), needles and foliage will easily snap off, damaging your plants, because your broom or hurried hands are very poor pruning tools.
Even when the temperatures rise to above freezing, be careful because large hunks of falling snow can cause damage to those botanical areas they fall upon.
If you must, work from the bottom up as you attempt to remove heavy snow from your plants.
2. If snow is falling at such a rate that it would indeed break apart the plant if left unchecked, gently scrape the larger limbs as the snow falls.
If you are not there or able, then do so afterwards — but be very gentle.
Keep in mind that if the snow is finished falling and the plant has survived unscathed, then why the concern?
In the case of the rare ice storm, never touch the plant — for if you do, disaster will follow.
Ice laden plants break horrendously when fussed with, so don’t.
With all of this said, remember after any big snow or ice event to inspect your plants.
I’ve learned that although Mother Nature is great when biodiversity is concerned, she receives an F on her pruning skills.
She rarely, if ever, snaps off a plant part above a node, nor does she make nice, clean cuts.
Rather, she shears off plants in jagged breaks, which can cause great damage in the future as Father Time will add disease and death into the mix.
So if snow damage is found, prune back to an appropriate node (heading cut) or most likely remove that damaged limb at the point it originated from on another branch or limb (thinning cut).
In the case of evergreens, remember it will most likely be a thinning cut, as evergreens “headed” back into old wood basically kills that limb or branch.
With that said, the cold weather of late means now is the time to prune your fruit trees, orchards, nuts and berries, along with other deciduous trees, so next week we’ll explore this task in great detail.
For now gather up your supplies.
Check your ladders. Make sure they are in safe working condition and that the bolts and screws are tightened down.
Sharpen and oil your pruners and loppers, and clean off your orchard saw.
Then make sure you have a couple of large tarps to hold the falling pieces so as to easily cart off the mess.
Finally, remember a few other cold-related items.
Most de-icers that are thrown over the sidewalk and driveway are hazardous to your plants and lawns, so either use them very sparingly if at all or consider sand as an alternative.
Because we need it so rarely here on the Peninsula, use fall/winter fertilizer and small amounts with great success.
The cold weather also means now is the time (if you have not done so already) to remove your hoses and store them away until next spring, as well as cover your outdoor faucets with insulated boots, or plan to install frost-free hose bibs.
If you wish to be a great pal to our feathered friends, consider stocking a bird feeder.
In the winter, they really need the calories and source of fresh, not frozen, water.
Remember, too, this is a great time of year to catch up on the reading of those stored gardening magazines as you watch the snow falling on cedars outside.
But remember, ladders along with snow and ice can be a very dangerous thing.
Just last year, I broke four ribs in a ladder accident.
So please, as the season adds on its own perils — stay well all!
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Andrew May is a freelance writer and ornamental horticulturist who dreams of having Clallam and Jefferson counties nationally recognized as “Flower Peninsula USA.” Send him questions c/o Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362, or email news@peninsuladailynews.com (subject line: Andrew May).
