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If you are a container gardener, the onset of winter does not necessarily mean the end of the gardening season. Although the temperatures may be plummeting, you can continue gardening through the winter months. All you need for winter container gardening is the right selection of plants, the proper containers, and the know-how to care for your plants during the winter months.
When selecting plants for winter container gardening, you need to pay strict attention to the cold hardiness zone information. Nearly all plants and seeds will have the hardiness zones printed on the package or label. To be on the safe side, you should select plants that are certified hardy to one or two zones colder than your current location. For example, if you are in zone six, you want plants certified to be hardy down to zones four or five. You also need to take into account the health of the plant. If the plant is young, drought stricken, or been attacked by pests or disease, it may be too stressed to handle the colder temperatures. Select healthy, mature plants for winter container gardening.
The type of container you use is very important. Remember that soil in above ground planters will freeze before your garden soil. Therefore, the bigger the planter, the better off your plants will be. Bigger containers are not as prone to the freezing and thawing cycle that occurs in smaller containers. Furthermore, the material of your planter is a consideration also. Delicate ceramic or glass pots can crack or break under extremely cold temperatures. Select your containers for durability. Use materials such as metal, wood, or thick plastic for winter container gardening.
Finally, you need to care for your winter plants just as you would for warm weather container gardens. Locate your containers in sun or shade as the plant requires. Try to place your containers on soil, rather than concrete or asphalt. Concrete and asphalt absorb heat from the sun and then cool down after dark. This can send your containers into a freeze/thaw cycle that is unhealthy for your winter plants. Water when the soil is dry, preferably during the day when the temperatures warm up. Use a slow release fertilizer for constant nutrition throughout the winter months.
Winter container gardening is not all that different from container gardening throughout the rest of the year. Although you need to pay extra attention to the types of plants and containers, you will discover that the care and maintenance of your container garden remains the same through any season. Adequate sunlight, water, and fertilizer will ensure that your winter container garden flourishes. It’s the perfect solution for gardening fanatics to feed their needs through the winter months.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about winter gardening and gardening articles at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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