How to cover lavender for the winter, taking into account different climatic zones
Content
Pruning rules in the fall
Lavender belongs to the group of thermophilic crops. However, thanks to the efforts of domestic and foreign breeders, several dozen frost-resistant varieties were bred that are not afraid of winter cold and quickly recover with the arrival of the first spring heat. In order for the plant to overwinter successfully, you need to properly prepare it for the upcoming cold weather.
Lavender care in the fall includes the following activities:
- cleaning of broken branches, fallen leaves and dry vegetation on the territory of the cottage;
- removal of weed grass and loosening of the soil in the near-trunk circle of shrubs and between rows of garden plants;
- rejuvenating pruning of the bush;
- fertilizing with mineral fertilizers;
- mulching the soil and sheltering the aboveground part of the shrub.
Most ornamental and fruit crops require abundant soil moisture. Moisture-charging irrigation, which usually occurs at the beginning of autumn, impregnates the soil well and nourishes growing crops throughout the winter. In contrast, lavender favors dry soil. Excess moisture in the soil can cause rotting of the root system and leads to a halt in the growth and development of plants. For this reason, it is better to abandon the autumn watering of lavender bushes.
As for pruning a bush, many novice gardeners believe that only old, wind-damaged and insect-injured branches should be removed in the fall. This opinion is incorrect, since in severe frosts, thin shoots freeze out and do not recover in spring. The plant becomes weak and susceptible to various diseases. A lavender shrub will cope with even the most severe frosts, if you properly cut its shoots and correctly insulate the root system.
So, first you need to identify the branches that have bloomed two seasons in a row. The selected shoots are not completely shortened, only the green part is cut off. Please note that the distance from the cut to mature wood should be about 3 cm.
Video: "Rejuvenating Lavender Pruning"
In this video, you will learn how to properly prune the shoots of an ornamental shrub before wintering.
Subsequent feeding
Autumn is the ideal time to feed the plants growing in the garden with complex mineral fertilizers. But the mixture should not contain nitrogen-containing preparations. To enrich the soil, you can use ready-made potash-phosphorus mixtures for ornamental shrubs growing in open ground.
If the lavender bush was planted this season, no fertilization is needed. The young seedling has not yet had time to choose nutrients and useful substances from the soil, which were laid during planting.
Shelter tips
Now let's look at how to cover lavender bushes for the winter. There are several general rules for preparing tall shrubs for the upcoming cold and cold weather:
- Collect all the branches of the bush into a single bunch. Tie this bundle with twine. Thus, you can prevent the ingress of snow into the bush.
- Mulch the soil in the trunk circle with peat, straw, hay, small spruce twigs, dry soil and sand. The height of the mulch layer should be within 15–30 cm. It is not recommended to use dry opal foliage as mulch. The root system of lavender, covered with fallen leaves, begins to grow out over time.
- The above-ground part of the ornamental shrub should be insulated with any non-woven covering material. To enhance the thermal insulation, you can build a "hut" of pine or spruce branches.
Regional features
The features of the preparation and shelter of horticultural crops growing on the territory of the summer cottage depend on the climatic zone of growth. So, the preparation and shelter of lavender in central Russia, including in the Moscow region, begins in early autumn. This region is characterized by warm winters with little snow, however, sudden changes in temperature regimes are more dangerous for ornamental plants than severe frosts.
During the thaw period, melt water settles in the ground, unexpected cooling and severe frosts lead to the formation of glaciers on the roots. To prevent freezing of the root system, lavender bushes need to be mulched with peat, straw and hay. In severe frosts, the branches should be insulated with any non-woven covering material.
Lavender grown in the Kuban, Crimea, Krasnodar, Stavropol and other southern regions of the country is not harbored for the winter. The trunk circle is mulched with peat and straw, the branches are tied and bent to the ground so that the gusty wind does not damage them.
Shrubs growing in the northern regions of Russia require more thorough preparation and shelter. In the Volga region, Siberia and the Urals, where the air temperature can drop below 35 ° C, lavender is insulated with agrofibre, lutrasil, jute or geotextile fabric. Pine or spruce branches are laid on top of the covering material, which keep heat, but do not disturb air circulation.
It is not recommended to use plastic wrap that does not allow air to pass through. The lack of openings for air exchange leads to the accumulation of moisture inside. The plant becomes moldy and starts to rot.
Correctly selected planting material will help prevent freezing of garden crops. For the northern regions, the following winter-hardy lavender varieties are suitable: Buena Vista, Beechwood, Rosea, Alba, Hidcote Blue, Hidcote Giant, Munstead, etc.
Wintering of potted species
Recently, potted species of ornamental plants are gaining popularity. Cultivated in flower containers and pots, lavender is widely used in landscaping to decorate terraces, gazebos, columns and garden arches.
Preparation of potted lavender species for wintering consists in pruning shrubs and applying mineral fertilizers to the soil. Pot-type lavender should not be left outside, crops that are unstable to cold and frost will not withstand a drop in air temperature. To prevent small lavender bushes from dying in winter, it is recommended to move the flowerpots to a heated room.
Typical mistakes
Due to ignorance and inexperience, some novice gardeners incorrectly prepare ornamental shrubs for wintering. For example, abundant soil moisture and improperly selected mineral fertilizers will lead to the fact that lavender will die with the onset of the first frost. Violation of pruning technology negatively affects the winter hardiness of plants. Pruning branches in late autumn is the main cause of freezing of ornamental shrubs, as lavender takes time to heal and recover.
Another common mistake among beginner gardeners is the early "awakening" of the garden culture. With the arrival of spring heat, you should not rush things, opening shrubs and removing dried tops. Lavender wakes up much later than other ornamental plants.