Gardening in Colder Climates; Everything You Need to Know About Hose Bibs, Snow Removal, and Aerogardens.
Gardening in colder climates is very possible, it just takes a little consideration and effort – you just need to know what needs to be done! We’ve put together a small guide on how to prepare and care for your garden to enjoy it year-round.
Hose bibs and spigots… Many gardeners who live in colder climates will experience freezing temperatures and snowfall throughout the winter months and that needs to be taken into account when caring for your yard. Sillcock, spigot, outdoor faucet, hydrant, or hose bib are all different names for the same thing – a water faucet that is located on the exterior of your house. Some hose bibs are freezeproof but the common normal hose bibs, if not prepared for freezing temperatures, can become frozen over the colder months, This can limit access to outdoor watering and could potentially damage your internal piping system.
It is recommended to turn off the water supply to your hose bib before winter sets in. If your home has multiple spigots, they will each have their own shut off valve, which will be located in your house (usually the basement, utility, or near your water meter). Turning off the valve will stop the water supply to the spigot so it cannot freeze when the winter sets in. If water is left to freeze it can cause damage to the pipes and could potentially cause flooding. Next, you’ll need to detach the hose from your spigot. You should remove as much water as possible from the hose before you store it away in a heated (temperature controlled), protected area like an insulated garden shed or basement. Once the hose is detached, and the water supply is off, turn on the hose bib to remove any excess water in the pipes. Finally, you’ll need to go back to the shutoff valve, here you should see a bleeder valve which has a small metal cap. Pop a small bowl underneath this and remove the cap. This will let any excess water drain out – then your system is prepped and ready for the harsh winter temperatures. Let it snow… Living in a cold climate you’re more than accustomed to removing snow from your driveway, car, and walkway.. but what about your garden? As soon as the snow reaches 5cm in thickness and isn’t too wet, it acts as a fluffy blanket for your garden. As powder snow has a lot of air, it acts as insulation for the roots and soil underneath. This is particularly beneficial if you have alpine plants or perennials in your garden as the snow will protect the plants from harsh winds and rain. Snow also protects bulbs and roots against wide temperature fluctuations during the freeze-thaw cycle. If you’re in an area that experiences high levels of snowfall it would be wise to take this into consideration when planting the plants in your garden. Choosing cold-hardy perennials for your yard will limit the damage done by freezing temperatures. Alpine plants like crocus and gentians are used to snowy conditions. Similarly, coneflower, lily of the valley, and catmint are suitable for colder climates. Evergreens like blue spruce and wintergreen boxwood are especially resilient and will provide a pop of color in your winter wonderland.
Heavy snow can be as much of a nuisance to your plants as it is to you. Heavy snow can really weigh down branches, bending them to the ground. This can cut off the circulation of food manufactured by the leaves to the roots as the vessels inside the tree freezes. This is more likely to happen with multi-stemmed shrubs so, in the fall, it may be a good idea to bundle them together with canvas or burlap. Don’t be afraid to give larger trees a good shake. If excessive snow accumulates on branches it can cause them to break. Slowly shake the branches to remove excessive snow; it’s not recommended to use a broom or rake as it may cause more damage to the bark. Similarly, don’t try to remove ice – this may also damage the bark. If you have younger trees, consider wrapping them with tree wrap – this gives them an extra layer of insulation and can help prevent the bark from splitting in extreme temperatures.  Hydroponic gardens allow growth during winter months.
If you’re missing your garden in the winter months… Many gardens like to take a break during the winter, especially if they have larger or high-maintenance gardens. Others miss it and choose to grow indoor gardens instead. Many use an aerogarden to get their gardening fix. What is an aerogarden? An aerogarden is a dirt-free, indoor garden with built-in lights that simulate sunlight. These mini indoor gardens can be used year-round to grow almost anything. Many will tell you when to add water and nutrients so they’re perfect for anyone who loves gardening but finds that they lack a green thumb. Fresh salad leaves aren’t just limited to the summer months. An aerogarden would be perfect for anyone who likes to grow food in their gardens during the year; they can be used to grow salad greens, herbs, and some vegetables. They can also perfect for growing plants from seed, to transport outside when the spring comes again.
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