Winter is the time when balcony plants go dormant. If you have been keeping them alive all through the summer, now is the time to protect them from harsh winter conditions.
You can protect your plants by covering them with a plastic sheet or cardboard.
You can also use large pots to cover them, which will help keep moisture in and protect your plants from cold winds.
If you have a balcony with plants, it’s likely that you would like to enjoy the fruits of your labor even during winter.
However, protecting balcony plants in winter is not as easy as it may seem at first glance.
In this article, we will outline how to protect your balcony plants from snow damage and talk about what you need to do before and after the snow starts falling from the sky.
Snow is a wonderful thing. Let it stay there
Let’s face it; snow is one of the most wonderful things about winter. It can be a pain to shovel and clear away, but it also provides a layer of protection for your plants, especially their roots.
With a blanket of snow over them, your balcony plants will be shielded from frost damage as the insulative properties of snow prevent the roots from losing water, making it a better insulator than mulch or straw.
Snow also acts as a barrier against pests like rabbits, birds, and mice who might try to eat your plants during the winter months (more on this later).
If you’re worried about having too much snow lying around after the first major storm hits, don’t fret.
You won’t have any trouble removing this light powder once spring rolls around again.
Strengthen your plants with fertilization, good soil, and water
To protect your plants, you need to ensure that they are strong enough to withstand winter.
To do this, fertilize them, keep their soil moist, and water them regularly.
Fertilization is important for plants in general; however, it’s especially important when planting on balconies in winter because it helps strengthen the roots of your plants.
This will help protect them from frost damage and make them more resilient against harsh outdoor conditions such as wind and snowfall.
In addition to keeping your balcony plants well-nourished, it’s also essential to ensure that their soil has good drainage so that they don’t develop root rot or other issues caused by too much moisture around their roots (e.g., mold).
Watering is another essential part of keeping balcony plants healthy through the winter months, but there are certain rules you need to follow when doing so:
- Avoid watering the plants in the morning or evening as the leaves can get wet, and this may cause them to rot. Instead, do it in the middle of the day when there is less chance of waterlogging.
- Water your plants at least once a week during the winter months, but if the weather is warm and dry, then you can reduce it to once every two weeks or even monthly if necessary.
- Make sure that you never let any water pool on top of your pots as this can cause problems with mold growth which will eventually rot out any roots beneath it as well as cause other issues such as mold on walls.
- If your pots have drainage holes, make sure they are not clogged up with debris such as dead leaves etc. (This will also cause problems).
Bring in the most delicate plants
Bring in the most delicate plants. Unfortunately, you can’t keep your balcony garden completely outside during winter as there are some plants that are just not used to the cold and will die if they’re left out.
If you have a tender tropical or sub-tropical plant (anything with “needing protection” written anywhere on its tag or info sheet), bring it inside to a bright room with plenty of indirect light.
Also, bring any plants that aren’t frost-resistant—if they hail from warmer climates and don’t have thick trunks or stems, they might not be able to handle freezing temperatures without help.
This list includes:
- Fuchsias – these require warm conditions year-round.
- Geraniums – need very warm conditions throughout their growing season.
- Hibiscus – should be protected from temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit because they will drop their leaves at 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Impatiens – should be protected from freezing temps due to their sensitivity to cold weather.
Provide your plants with adequate protection
To keep your balcony plants warm and cozy, you will need to take some precautions. There are several ways to protect plants from the cold, and all it takes is a little creativity.
- Plastic, glass, or cardboard covers work great for keeping leaves safe when planted in pots.
- Straw, hay, or wood shavings can be used to protect the soil instead of plastic wraps if they’re available at home.
- Pot covers made out of metal mesh can also be used for protecting your balcony plants during the winter seasons.
- Tarpaulins are another good option if you want to cover up entire pots with them (or even individual plants).
Water regularly – but only if the temperature is above 41 Degrees Fahrenheit
Watering is important, but you need to be careful not to overdo it. Watering should be done in moderation and only when the temperature is above 41 Degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s best to water in the morning when the ground is cool, and there’s less chance of water freezing during the night.
Prune appropriately to protect against wind damage and snow mold
Pruning is an important part of maintaining your balcony plants. When you prune, you are removing dead or damaged branches and cutting back the tips of branches to encourage new growth.
You can use a sharp pair of scissors or garden shears to do this.
If you have been diligent with pruning throughout the winter, you will likely only have a few dead leaves on your plant that need to be removed before spring arrives.
Protecting balcony plants in winter is an easy task if you follow the right steps to do it
Protecting balcony plants in winter is an easy task if you follow the right steps to do it. The most important thing is to know what kind of plant you have and how it reacts to winter weather.
If you are new to gardening, then this tutorial will help you get started with protecting your balcony plants in winter.
If you want your plant to survive through these harsh conditions, then there are some basic things that must be taken care of by every gardener from early autumn till late spring.
The following tips should be followed when caring for your balcony plants during this cold season:
- Make sure the soil is moist at all times.
- Water your plants early in the morning to avoid freezing temperatures at night.
- Use a heating mat under planters and pots if needed during freezing temperatures (available at most hardware stores).
- If your balcony gets very cold in the winter months, place pots on top of chairs or tables to protect them from wind chill (make sure they have adequate drainage).
Conclusion
Protecting balcony plants in winter is an easy task if you follow the right steps.
All you need is a good watering can and some time on your hands.
You may also want to consider using fertilizer and pruning your plants appropriately, so they don’t get damaged by snow or wind.
With these tips, you’ll be able to save any plant from damage during winter.