The icy embrace of winter can be brutal, but it's a necessary part of garden life.
- Let's face it, the cold kills off those nasty, disease carrying bugs that we don't want in our lives. A mild winter can spare mosquitoes, stink bugs and other insects. So a strong cold snap will do the trick when it comes to eliminating them permanently.
- Bitter winter temperatures give plants the chance to maximize flowering to help their buds fully develop.
- Plants go dormant in the winter and those bitter temperatures make sure they stay that way. A prolonged warmup can cause premature budding. If the buds appear and then the temps drop again, then those buds are in danger.
- Plant diseases can survive mild winters. A cold snap can kill of fungus and other nasty things in your landscape. However, if the disease is inside the plant, it can be protected from the cold that way.
GLT's Grow is your source for sage gardening advice and down-to-earth tips. Host Patrick Murphy and co-host Laura Kennedy are ready to take on all your gardening questions, so submit yours today.
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