plant care in winter
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Winter Plant Care Tips: If you want your small balcony garden, terrace garden or outdoor garden to look fresh, green and healthy even in winter, then you have to avoid some common but serious mistakes. Especially ‘excessive watering’… this is one of the biggest reasons for harming plants in winter. In fact, people often continue the same care in winter as in summer. Same watering, same fertilizer and same sunlight. But do you know that as the weather changes, the ‘routine’ of plants also changes.
In winter, plant growth slows down, roots remain less active and the soil remains wet for a long time. In such a situation, giving excess water or taking wrong care is not beneficial for the plants, but proves to be harmful. Let us know in this article the 5 big mistakes, by staying away from which you can keep your garden green even in winter.
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1. Giving more water than necessary
The soil does not dry quickly in winter because there is less sunlight and evaporation of water slows down. In such a situation, watering daily or repeatedly can rot the roots. Excessive watering can cause fungal infection in the roots. The leaves may turn yellow and the plant may even die slowly. In such a situation, you have to check the soil with your finger before watering in winter. Water only if the top 12 inches of soil is dry.
2. Not understanding the need for sunlight
Winter sunlight is certainly mild, but it is very important for plants. Many people keep the plants completely in the shade to protect them from cold. Which is not good for the plant at all. By doing this the plants become weak, flowering may stop and even the leaves become light and loose. Whereas during the winter season, when the sun comes in the morning, keep the pots there. 35 hours of mild sunlight is enough in winter.
3. Applying more fertilizer in winter
People think that adding fertilizer will strengthen the plant, but the growth of plants slows down in winter. Giving too much fertilizer can burn the roots. Due to this, it becomes common for the edges of leaves to burn, plant growth to stop and salt to accumulate in the soil. In winter, light organic fertilizer (like vermicompost) once a month is sufficient for the plant.
4. Not protecting from cold wind and frost
Cold winds and frost on winter nights can damage plants, especially those with delicate flowers. But some people leave the plant like this. Due to frost and cold wind, leaves appear burnt, buds may fall and the plant may suddenly wither. In such a situation, keep the pots near the wall at night or cover them with light cloth/plastic sheet and remove them in the morning.
5. Ignoring Dry Leaves and Poor Drainage
In winter, fallen leaves and wet soil together create the perfect environment for fungus and insects. In such a situation, if you do not remove the dry leaves of the plant, they harm the plant itself. This can cause problems like fungus, small insects growing in the soil and root rot. In such a situation, keep removing dry and yellow leaves regularly. Do not allow water to accumulate at the bottom of the pot, keep the drainage holes open.
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