Winter Garden Wellness: Keeping Your Plants Happy Until Spring
Canadian winters can be tough for plants. Freezing temperatures, snow and the overall unpredictability of Mother Nature make outdoor growing environments inhospitable. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for poor plant health. There are many ways to flex your green thumb during the winter season. Keep reading to uncover winter gardening tips to keep your plants happy until spring.
Indoor Gardening: Creating the Best Growing Environment
Make no mistake: most plants will struggle to maintain good health in an open outdoor garden during harsh Canadian winters. While some native plants are hardy enough to endure the cold, most garden favorites won’t last.
The key to winter garden wellness is providing shelter via a controlled indoor environment. That can be a purpose-built greenhouse or a spare room in your home. Whatever the case, bringing plants inside once temperatures drop to dangerous levels is important. Plant hardiness varies, but most varieties struggle when nighttime temperatures reach 7 to 13 degrees Celsius. Indoor gardening allows you to control every element of your plants’ environment until spring.
Winter Garden Care: Tips to Maintain Good Plant Health
Maintaining a healthy indoor garden is easier than it looks. With the right equipment and winter garden care knowledge, you can keep plants in good shape despite the freezing temperatures outside. Here are a few tips to follow.
- Prioritize Temperature Stability: Keep things warm to promote good health and growth. Temperature preferences vary between plant species and varieties. However, most will thrive in cozy temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees. Don’t forget to check soil temperatures, too. To keep the soil warm, consider using a heating mat.
- Avoid Moisture Fluctuations: Plants undergo enough stress during the winter. The last thing you want is to cause harm due to overwatering and underwatering. Be mindful of your plant’s hydration needs. To avoid issues, consider using growing equipment purpose-built to optimize moisture conditions. The Turbo Grow Kit from Supernatural Brand uses air to flash feed and hydrate plants, maintaining optimal moisture levels day and night.
- Provide Ample Lighting: While you could rely on natural light by placing plants near a south-facing window, the shorter winter days can cause problems. Invest in fluorescent or LED plant lighting for optimal health. Set your lamps on a timer for 14 to 16 hours of light daily.
- Feed If Necessary: Some plants go dormant in the winter, even when placed inside. However, creating a healthy environment may encourage more growth. If that’s the case, providing plant nutrients may help your garden overcome stress while reaching its full potential. Products like Ultimate Thrive or Green Stay provide micro and macronutrients that help plants flourish.
Winter Gardening Tips for Springtime Success
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to pause your passion for gardening during the winter. In addition to taking steps to keep your plants happy and healthy until spring, late winter is a great time to get a headstart on the upcoming growing season.
Many of the wintertime care measures you take to keep existing plants healthy will also allow you to start seeds. High-quality growing equipment that can maintain good soil conditions and sustain a healthy root zone will also help you cultivate new plants. Starting seeds in late winter gives young plants ample time to mature before transplantation, resulting in early success come spring.
Beat the Cold and Pave the Way to Cultivation Excellence
You can do a lot to optimize garden wellness in the winter. Be wary of your plants’ needs and invest in the right equipment to create the best indoor growing environment. Follow our tips, and your plants can thrive.
