November marks the transition from autumn to winter. The gardening enthusiasts now have an important task that they must complete before the onset of winter. The end of October is the right time to prepare the plants for the cold months and protect them from frost. This also includes woody plants. In today's article we will explain to you why you should tie shrubs together and what you should pay attention to when doing so.
Snow pressure can cause major damage in winter
The frost-hardy trees are robust enoughcold season outdoorswithout winter protection. Their branches can support their own weight including leaves, flowers and fruits. Most shrubs don't mind a layer of snow - they can recover easily after the winter months. However, during alternating periods of snow and frost, the snow pressure becomes too great and can cause major damage. Spherical ornamental shrubs and coniferous trees with a slender, columnar shape that grow upright are particularly sensitive. Their branches fall apart, bend downwards and may even break. If this causes major bark damage, the entire bush can freeze. There is also a risk of injury with taller bushes that grow around the garden path or driveway.
A possible solution would be to shake the snow. However, this is a time-consuming task that should sometimes be done daily. If you want to save yourself the trouble, you can tie your bushes together in the fall instead.
Protect sensitive shrubs from frost
Tying them together also fulfills another function - it protects sensitive evergreen conifers from frost and waterlogging. Yew, Thuja and Co. benefit from this protective measure. Also forThis protection is for potted plantsrecommended. They are mostly exposed to the weather and have to withstand snow, wind and rain. By loosely tying them together, they are better protected from frost and weather influences.
Tie the trees together from the end of October
Experienced gardeners know: from mid-November the temperatures drop suddenly and from the end of November the ground can freeze. It is therefore recommended to tie the bushes together by November 20th, i.e. before the ground freezes.
Step-by-step instructions
Tie the shrubs together on a dry, warm fall day. You need a string, preferably made of biodegradable yarn. These include, for example, coconut fiber cord and hemp cord. You will also need pruning shears and secateurs. Then do the following:
1. Check the shrub for diseases. Remove all diseased, loose, dried out and moldy plant parts. Also cut off any branches that grow inward or too close to the ground.
2. Tie the string around the trunk(s). Wrap the other end from the trunk towards the top of the bush. Then carefully wrap the string from the tip to the trunk. Then knot the string at the bottom. The bush must be tied together loosely!
3. After the permanent frost has ended, from the beginning to mid-April, you can carefully remove the cord.
4. Very important – stop all fertilizer and watering during permanent frost. The trees don't need any nutrients during the rest phase in winter anyway. The irrigation water can freeze in the ground and damage the roots. However, if the winter is mild, water the shrubs as needed.
When is additional snow protection necessary?
If the tree grows right next to a covered terrace or pergola, snow could slide off the roof and break the branches. You can protect the bushes from this by wrapping them with frost protection fleece.
Alternatively, you can also opt for a snow protection bridge or snow protection fence - it is constructed like a tent made of wooden slats. The distance between the slats is at least 5 cm so that air can circulate freely. This variant is ideal for young trees, which are shielded from wind and rain and can survive the winter well protected.
From the beginning of April you can remove the snow protection bridges and wrap the bushes with fleece instead. At the beginning of May, even sensitive exotic plants no longer need winter protection. Remove the fleece and also the string. Evergreen shrubs take some time to recover. However, after 2-3 weeks they will begin to grow again in their original shape. Then it is also the right time to check the plants for frost damage and cut off wilted branches and shoots.
