The holiday season is fast approaching, bringing with it quite a few gardening challenges. From cold weather and busy schedules to working around holiday yard decorations, this time of year can be as tough on our plants as it is on our waistlines. Feeling overwhelmed? Here are a few stress-free tips to keep your garden healthy this holiday season.
Plan Ahead
About to get really busy with family get-togethers and holiday shopping? It might be a good idea to cross off as many gardening tasks as you can before the season gets into full swing. Take care of basics like weeding and pruning now, so you’ll have less to do when the festivities start.
If you’re going out of town, don’t wait until the last minute to consider your garden. You may want to ask a friend or neighbor to stop by to help out (be sure to provide detailed instructions so they know exactly what each plant needs). You can also use empty bottles to create a DIY drip irrigation system that will slowly water your plants while you’re away.
Use Organic Soil
No matter how much you plan ahead, there still may be times that your schedule gets away from you. Fortunately, if you’re using organic soil, your plants are more likely to be able to withstand you missing a day of gardening here and there. Organic soil provides vital nutrients and absorbs water more effectively, helping to keep your plants healthy and hydrated.
Not only that, but because organic soil improves soil composition and moisture management, it can also help prevent puddles, erosion and runoff during rainy weather.
Be Strategic With Your Decorations
Yard decorations can add a festive feel to your landscape, but they can also be terrible for your plants. This holiday season, be cautious about where and how you are placing your decorations. Make sure that you will still be able to get to all of your plants to keep them trimmed and watered. If you have decorations that need to be staked down, be careful to avoid hitting the roots of your plants.
Also, if any of your decorations are attached to trees or plants, make sure the decorations are not too heavy and do not generate excessive heat that could be damaging.
Protect Your Plants
Winter weather can be difficult on many plants. Wind, snow, rain and cold each bring their own set of problems, and during the holiday season, you’re likely to face most, if not all, of these challenges. However, there are a few things you can do to help your garden weather the storm.
If you’ve got plants that may blow over in the wind, consider staking them or adding a trellis before winter strikes. To prepare for rain, make sure the layout of your garden and quality of your soil facilitate proper drainage. Finally, to help protect your garden against the cold and regulate soil temperatures throughout the season, it is a good idea to add a layer of mulch.
Take Advantage of Seasonal Deals
Even though you might not have much time to garden during the holidays, it can still be the perfect time to get great deals on supplies you will want in the future. Many stores offer discounts during the holiday season, making it an excellent time to pick up the new lawn mower or flowerpot you’ve been eyeing. After all, there’s no time like the holidays to give you justification for treating yourself!
From all of us at Agromin, we hope you have a very happy holiday season. If you’d like to learn more about how organic soil products can benefit your garden this winter and all year round, please don’t hesitate to contact us.