Your potted trees should survive the winter if they are hardy for your climate and you give them some extra protection.

Because the roots of your trees are above ground, they will be exposed to colder temperatures than trees that are growing in the ground. Containers are exposed to air on all four sides, and also the top and bottom. You will need to keep the soil temperatures in the pots above freezing.

If you can, move the containers to a protected area. If you can’t move them, follow these steps:

• Group your potted trees and plants together
• Thoroughly water the plants (do not feed)
• Construct a protective cage around each plant from the pot to the top of the tree/plant using chicken wire or similar material
• Fill each cage fully with straw, mulch, wood chips, or shredded leaves
• Wrap each insulated plant/tree with burlap from top to bottom

In the spring, be sure to wait until there is no further threat of frost before gently unwrapping each plant/tree.

For more information about protecting trees in winter, please click here to visit: Gurney’s Seed and Nursery.

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The name Pumpkin comes from the Greek name pepon, which is a large melon.

Native American Indians cooked pumpkins by roasting long strips on an open fire. They also dried strips of pumpkin and wove them into mats. The colonists made pumpkin pie by slicing off the top, removing the seeds, filing the inside with milk, spices and honey and baking in hot ashes. The colonists also used pumpkin as side dishes, in soups, and made beer with it.

The practice of carving Halloween pumpkins into Jack-O-Lanterns was brought to the United States by Irish Immigrants, who originally used turnips to carve Jack-O-Lanterns. Pumpkins in the U.S. were cheaper and more abundant so the switch was made from turnips to pumpkins.

Pumpkins are a good source of vitamins and minerals. Pumpkins contain beta-carotene, vitamin c and potassium. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc and unsaturated fatty acids.

When choosing pumpkins for cooking, smaller sizes will be more tender and flavorful. Look for pumpkins that feel heavy for their size with stems attached and no blemishes. Pumpkins should have a dull finish. If the pumpkin has a shiny skin, it could have been picked too soon or might have a wax coating on it.

Pumpkins can be skinned and cooked in the same manner as most winter squash. Cut into chunks and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. When the pumpkin is cool, puree it.

Don’t forget to roast those pumpkin seeds. Roasting pumpkins seeds is a healthy delicious snack.

As the season changes and we start to get cold temperatures, it’s time to think about protecting your trees and shrubs from Winter.
Cold temperatures, ice, snow, wind, salt and animals can all cause damage to your trees and shrubs.

Mulch:

Mulching will keep the moisture in the ground and help protect your trees and shrubs from drying out over winter.

Mulching will give new roots more time to develop for recently planted trees and shrubs. It will help minimize the effect of freezing and thawing of the soil during the late winter and early spring season.
You will need to apply a four to six inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree or shrub. This will prevent heaving by maintaining a more constant soil temperature. You do not want to mulch up against the trunk of the tree or main stem of the shrub.
Mulch also prolongs plant dormancy in the spring and reduces the chance of late spring frost injury to new leaves and flowers.

Sunscald:

Sunscald is an injury to the trunk of young trees. Sometimes called Southwest injury, because it usually occurs on the southwest side of young trees. Sunscald occurs on warm winter days as the sun shines and heats up the bark on the tree trunk, cells within the tree break dormancy and become active. When the sun sets and the temperatures get colder and the bark temperature drops rapidly, the active cells are killed. This bark may look sunken, cracked or discolored. By spring, the discolored bark may crack and fall off. Young trees, newly planted trees, and thin-barked trees (cherry, crabapple, honey locust, linden, maple, mountain ash, plum) are most susceptible to Sunscald. You can protect these trees from Sunscald by wrapping the trunk with tree wrap.

Tree wrap is put on in the fall and must be removed in the spring to prevent disease and insect damage. Your young trees may need to be wrapped every year until their bark has thickened.

Water:

Stop watering once the ground is frozen; trees and shrubs no longer absorb water after that time.
Salt Damage:

Salt that is used for de-icing sidewalks and roads in winter can cause damage to your trees and shrubs. Damage occurs when salt is deposited on dormant stems, buds and needles of trees and shrubs. Salt can damage roots, foliage; can cause stem injury and reduce growth. To help prevent damage to trees and shrubs install a screen to act as a barrier. A screen can also protect your plants from wind and sun.

Pest Control:

Rabbits, mice and deer can cause damage to plants in Winter. These animals feed on the tender bark and foliage during winter months. Clear away weeds, leaves, tall grass and fruit from around your yard and around trees and shrubs. This will help reduce the nesting material and deter pests from making their winter home at your home. You can also put up tree guards around your tree trunks.

For products to help you protect your plants, trees and shrubs in winter, please visit Henry Fields Seed and Nursery

Need any other tips for your winter garden? Click here to send us your question!