It is almost the end of summer and the time to prepare for Fall and Winter begins now. The months mean cozy blankets, freezing winter, and lots of hot cocoa. As humans, we are well equipped to handle the change but it becomes difficult for plants to grow. They are dependent on you and it is your responsibility to ensure that they are in the right place and under the right temperature.
If you want to look for ways to save your plants from winter, here are some tips to help you.
- Clean them
You will rarely get to see the sun during winter and you need to make the most of all the light you have. The same applies to your plants. You must ensure that they are clean, dust-free, and getting all the little light they can. Put the plants in a bathtub every few weeks and use a sprayer to give the leaves a nice shower. You can also use a damp towel and clean them. At Berns Landscape, a certified arborist in Royal Oak MI is of the opinion that cleaner plants lead to better photosynthesis and thus, quick and efficient growth of the plants.
- Give them light
To keep your plants alive, you need to give them light more than anything else. Each plant in your home should be getting adequate light and if the natural light is not enough, you can use a full-spectrum lightbulb in a desk lamp and keep it over your plants for at least 10-14 hours a day.
- Keep them warm
You might have plants in your home that are very sensitive to the cold air. Hence, the first thing you must do is keep the plants protected from the air. Do this by sealing up the windows and insulating the doors in your home. Ensure that the plants are warm but not too warm. If you keep them next to the outside doors or if you have leaky windowsills, you need to move them to a different room where they will not get shocked by the chilly air. You must also keep them away from sources of heat like radiators, fireplaces, or heating vents. Hot air is as bad for the plant as cold air. This is why it is important to maintain a steady temperature in your home for the plants.
- Cut down on watering
Once you move the plants indoors, you need to understand that they go dormant in the cold months. When there is less light, it means minimal growth and they need less fertilizer and water. Hence, feed your plants less in the months of winter. You should only water when the soil is dry and do not make the mistake of making your plants sit in water for days. This could lead to fungus, root rot, and mold. When you water them, remember to use warm water as it will help the plant grow larger and faster, while keeping them warm. Many homeowners follow a once-a-week schedule to water their plants during winters and it is a great choice. Just reduce the amount of water you provide on the weekly watering days.
- More humidity
Even we have a lot of problems with low humidity during the cold months and it is just not limited to us. It is a problem for plants too. All plants thrive in humidity levels around 50, so you must keep the humidifier running in your home. If you do not have one, you can cluster the plants together in a humid room, maybe the kitchen or your bathroom so that they have enough humidity. Alternatively, you can put them on top of a large tray filled with water but make sure the plants do not touch the water.
Finally, whenever you move the plant away, check the natural light it is getting. Perhaps the humidity will also change and this is something you need to keep in mind. Monitor the plants regularly during winters and after you have relocated them. There are some changes you will notice immediately and they can be reversed while many will need to through a trial and error to get it correct. Carrying for a plant is much more than watering it regularly. If you have recently started looking after plants, you will slowly notice how they change during winter and when they bloom. Look closely, and you will be able to identify the best place for your plant as well as the right amount of humidity it needs. Do not take plant care lightly, if you fail to look after your plants during the cold winter months, you might not have them with you for the next summer.
