PROTECTING TENDER PLANTS IN WINTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 11

PROTECTING TENDER PLANTS IN WINTER.

Many of our choicest garden perennials are only half-hardy, and others, generally classified as hardy, many succumb to the trying vagaries of an average winter. Frost is not the most serious trouble; heavy soaking rain which keeps the ground cold, sour, and water-logged is. undoubtedly dangerous, and strong sunshine after frost may be inimical to successful wintering. To keep out fiost i mulch of some protective nature is frequently advisable, but it should not be used until the winter is well advanced, and in many cases it is advisable to re 'move it when frosts are absent or when they are light. . The cover must never be such that it continues long wet in moist "’eatlier; a light littery mulch of old straw, ferns, ashes, leaf-mould, sand or peat is excellent, while manure which may remain wet and sodden is always a danger. A handful of evergreen prunings is very useful, small mats may serve, or even a cloche at times Another variety of “ cold,” if we may use that term, is frequently dangerous—a cold drying wind followed perhaps oy snow or sleet. Position is all important in this connection, and each grower must plant his tender stock with that point m view. Hurdles, boards, or pieces of slate or glass come in handy as a protection when the plants do not have the shelter of a hedge or wall. Heavy rains are best prevented from soaking round plants by erecting over them a sheet of glass, but, once again, correct planting is essential; the places where plants are likely to suffer are planted must be well drained and porous. A great danger is strong sunshine suddenly beating down on frosted plants, which causes sudden thawing. Lift plants likely to suffer fn this way and replant in a west or north aspect

or in some shady place, or see that cover of some kind is used overhead: this en ables the thawing to proceed slowly. Get roots covered with their mulch, place evergreens or small mats where they can be had at a moment’s notice and kept dry, have some ferns or twigs tied up amid tender branches, and place sheets oi glass over small plants. Choice subjects tray even be lifted and put in the frame, or potted up and stood in ashes under sash open at the ends.