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Some plants benefit from a little help get- ting through our long, tough winters. Plants like evergreens and broad-leaf evergreens, young trees susceptible to sun scald, roses or any plants that are an emergency food source for wildlife can all use some protec- tion. Evergreens and broad-leaf evergreens probably need the most attention. Because these plants continue to photosynthesize during the winter, they require some extra help to stay hydrated. Although their needle shape and protective waxlike coating around the needles help retain moisture, we can also lend a hand. Evergreens need to store up enough mois- ture to get them through the winter. We can help by keeping them hydrated going into winter and protecting them from moisture loss during. The best thing is to make sure they are watered well before the ground freezes so they can build a good reserve. Give them a good drink in late November or early December. Shelter from the wind Also plants continue to release water, called transpiration, during the winter. Any- thing we can do to slow this process down allows the plant to retain more moisture. Wind is our worst enemy because it has- tens the moisture loss process. So any way we can shelter our plants from the winter wind is good. Plants can be wrapped, leaving the top open, with breathable fabric or spayed with an anti-desiccant to slow mois- ture loss. This should help prevent brown- ing come spring. Young trees with thinner barks are sus- ceptible to sun scald. Normally this happens on the south side of the tree where the sun warms up the bark and the underlying water and nutrient transport layer. This warming from the sun and cooling at night causes expansion and contraction of these layers, which can eventually split the bark. The best way to stop this is wrapping, either with paper or plastic tree wraps. But wait as long as possible before wrapping and take it off as soon as possible in spring. Otherwise, it can become a haven for insects and dis- ease. Roses are similar to evergreens. It's mois- ture loss that leads to their demise. Roses naturally lose moisture during the winter through their canes and that's why there is always some die back. This is why pruning should not be done in fall because the canes are what store water for the plant. Wrapping them is again our best solution. I personally don't recommend cones because they force you to prune the canes and don't allow for a steady temperature. In the old days they use to use wax. Animal damage Last but not least is protecting your plants from critter damage. Rabbits, deer, mice, chipmunks, and others will chew on bark and branches when food supplies get short. If there is something you want to protect, plastic wraps and fencing are really your only option. Fruit-bearing plants and trees are the most commonly affected here, but anything with young smooth bark can also be target- ed. Most plants are able to handle normal winters, but during extremes, you may want to take extra steps to protect certain plants. Remember, an ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure. Happy gardening. (Michael Timm is a horticulturist for Ebert's Greenhouse Village in Ixonia.) HOME NOVEMBER 2017 4 MICHAEL TIMM Protecting your plants for the winter ahead Submitted photo Before decorating your outdoor fir trees, you should give them a long drink for winter.

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