Use garden notes, photos and sketches to assess areas which need plants
Determine types and quantities of plants to order
Begin to order plants from seed and nursery catalogues
Chores and Maintenance:
After ground freezes, mulch perennial and bulb planting beds. The mulch will prevent heaving during the alternate freeze/thaw cycle
Tie and support evergreen shrubs to avoid breakage from winter snow
Continue to provide burlap windbreaks for boxwood and broad-leaved evergreens unitl ground freezes
Complete protection of trees from mouse damage with wire mesh trunk guards
Continue to protect shrubs from deer with burlap or netting
Avoid the use of salt to melt snow as it is toxic to most plants. Use sawdust, sand or cat litter
Keep bird feeders filled throughout winter
Pruning/Fertilizing:
Prune evergreen branches to use in holiday decorating
Continue to rejuvenate overgrown shrubs as weather permits, until new growth begins in spring
Indoors:
Keep newly purchased Christmas trees in a bucket of water in a cool place
Set up Christmas tree in a reservoir stand. Cut on a slant about 1? above existing cut for optimum water absorption
Be sure to keep reservoir filled and place tree in the coolest part of the room
Sterilize the tree stand with a solution of boiling water, vinegar, and household bleach after use
When buying houseplants in winter be sure to wrap them well for the trip home. This prevents the foliage from freezing and protects tropicals from drafts
Give houseplants as much light as possible as days grow shorter
Hold off on fertilizing indoor plants until spring
Provide houseplants with increased humidity; mist often or place plants over a tray of moist pebbles
Continue to plant prepared bulbs for indoor forcing
As houseplants grow more slowly during winter, increase the time between waterings but do not cut back on the amount of water
On frigid nights protect indoor plants from freezing; move them away from the glass or cover glass with thick newspaper or cardboard
Clean leaves of large and smooth- leaved house plants like dracaena, philodendron, ficus etc
