Winter's cold temperatures, reduced sunlight, and frozen soil create harsh conditions for many plants. While many enter a state of dormancy to conserve energy, they can still be affected by frost damage, dehydration, and nutrient deficiencies. Providing appropriate care for plants in winter starts with awareness. Take a moment to recognize the needs of the plants in your landscape, and consider what the soil may need during the winter months.
"Winter garden care can vary greatly depending on your USDA hardiness zone, as well as the type of plants in your garden," shared Amy Enfield, Ph.D., Senior Horticulturist at ScottsMiracle-Gro. "Understanding your zone and the needs of your plants can help you decide whether to fertilize or focus on other care methods during the colder months."
Cold Climates (Zones 3–7)
Simply put, this is a waste of fertilizer. "In regions that experience a true winter where the ground freezes, perennials, trees, and shrubs will enter dormancy, meaning they stop growing," notes Enfield. "If they’re not growing, they stop absorbing nutrients and do not require the addition of fertilizer. You can resume feeding your plants in spring once the ground thaws and you notice new growth on the plants."
Mild Climates (Zones 8–10)
"Even in parts of the country that experience mild winters, plant growth can slow during the winter months," shares Enfield. "As plant growth slows, their need for nutrients also slows. During the cooler, darker months of winter, gardeners in milder climates usually reduce their fertilizer applications by half to avoid over-fertilizing; however, cool-season vegetables and ornamentals that thrive in the mild winters will benefit from regular feedings."
Evergreens
While you may have many dormant trees on your property, evergreens fall into a different category. "For evergreen plants that stay green year-round, including winter, while they don’t go dormant during the winter, their growth and other metabolic functions do slow down considerably," highlights Enfield. "During this state of slowed root growth, their need for extra nutrients is very low. While it may be tempting to feed evergreens as long as they are green, too much fertilizer, especially liquid fertilizer with high levels of nitrogen, can encourage tender growth that is susceptible to cold damage. Instead of fertilizing evergreens in the winter, add a layer of mulch to help protect the roots and retain soil moisture."
Indoor Plants
"Just like evergreens, indoor plants do not enter a state of true dormancy, but the reduced light levels along with reduced humidity found in our homes during the winter causes the plants growth to slow," shares Enfield. "During this time, your indoor plants' need for nutrients are reduced and the feeding frequency should be cut in half. Once the plants become more active in spring, resume your normal feeding routine."
When to Focus on Soil Health
Winter is an ideal time to test the soil pH and check for essential nutrients. While adding organic fertilizer might not have any benefit depending on your area, Enfield does recommend adding organic matter like leaf litter or well-aged manure to your garden beds so it can decompose over the winter and improve the soil structure in the spring.
What Are Common Signs of Winter Stress in Plants?
Recognizing that the cold season is stressful on new shoot growth is often enough to help you prevent long-term damage. Pay closer attention this year and take steps to help the plants that need it.
- Common signs include browning or blackened leaves from frostbite, branch splitting caused by freezing and thawing cycles, or wilting due to dehydration despite the cold.
- For evergreen shrubs, look for needle browning or drop, which may indicate desiccation from dry winds.
- Indoor plants may show yellowing leaves or slow growth due to reduced light and humidity.
You can address these issues by providing appropriate insulation, pruning damaged areas, or adjusting care routines to match the plant’s seasonal needs.
How Can You Protect Grass from Winter Damage?
Grass also faces challenges like frost, dehydration, and soil compaction during winter. To protect your lawn, avoid walking on frozen blades of grass and take steps to protect the grass roots; excessive compaction can take its toll on your lawn. In snowy areas, prevent snow mold by removing big snow piles that take a long time to melt, and debris left on the lawn. For warm-season grasses in mild climates, a dormant lawn might benefit from reduced mowing and occasional watering to avoid drought stress.
