Eagle Lake Nurseries Ltd.

FALL PREPARATION

Winter is on its Way!

As you all know Alberta winters are very hard on our plants. With Chinooks and unreliable snow cover our plants struggle for survival.

• * Applying 2" of mulch around the base of the plants will help insulate and keep a constant temperature around the crown of the plants
• * Water well. It is almost impossible to over water your plants the late fall.
• * Clean up the leaf litter around the base of your plants to keep insects and diseases from over wintering in your garden.
• * Apply a handful of bonemeal to the soil around the base of the plant. This aids in strong healthy roots. The following spring nutrients will be ready for when the plant starts to actively grow again.

Most plants have no trouble surviving our winters when there is a good snow cover. Mulch acts as a substitute for snow, protecting tender roots and crowns from winter desiccation. The mulch also helps to keep much needed moisture in the root zone.

Types of mulches are:

• Bark Chips
• Peat moss
• Straw
• Burlap
• Evergreen boughs
• Well rotted manure
• # Compost (leaves and any organic material from your garden)

Using organic mulches will add structure and nutrients to the soil. Compost, peat moss and well-rotted manure can be worked in to the soil in the spring.

After August 1st fertilizing should stop. The plant growth will slow down. This helps the plant to harden off for the winter.

The two most important things to remember about winterizing your garden are water and mulch. The time taken to protect your plants in the fall will defiantly be noticed in the spring.

Have fun mulching! And enjoy the color of fall!

Renee O'Brien
Eagle Lake Nurseries Ltd.