Reporting Holly Wagner
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — We’ve had a warm fall, but it’s just a matter of time until the cooler weather arrives. That’s why it’s time to start thinking about what yard work needs to be done before the temperature drops.
Susie Bachman from Bachman’s Garden Center gave WCCO-TV viewers tips about getting your trees and shrubs ready for winter.
Bachman said you’ll want to apply tree wrap to the trunk of young trees. You start the wrap at the base, then you bring it all the way up to where the branches come out.
This technique is good for any tree that doesn’t have a thick bark on it, especially young maples. The wrap prevents sun scald.
When it comes to shrubs you’ll want to take thick burlap and wrap it around the shrub — mummifying it.
This help prevents winter burn, which is what makes the tips of the plant look brown. It happens because the plant is losing moisture during the winter months.
It is also important to winterize planters and containers for storage. First, you want to empty out the soil, then try and get them as dry as possible. Tip them upside down and put them on boards to lift them up from the ground. This helps them from collecting moisture.
Bachman also suggests that if you have perennials in your yard, it’s a good time to cut them back to get ready for winter.
