Patio trees are a great way to make use of limited or flush space at the front or back of your home, bringing some potted variety with a sense of scale to your property. There is a wide variety of perfect trees for the patio, including fruit trees, evergreens and blossoming options, not to mention all the different shrubs and bushes that can be incorporated in the same way.
However, with winter fully upon us, it’s important to know how to care for patio fruit trees, evergreens and any other relevant plants in the colder seasons. This piece will explore the key principles to keeping these small potted trees safe in the chillier months. With this guide, you’ll be enjoying the sights and smells of patio trees well into next spring and beyond!
First and foremost, frost protection
The country frosted over 45 times in 2023, showing just how cold the winters can get in this country. Frosts like these can be super unforgiving to even evergreen patio trees, which is why frost protection is a vital part of winter care.
In some cases, such as for more delicate citrus trees or tropical plants, the best course of action is simply Indoor Overwintering – taking them indoors into a cool, well-lit room. In the case of hardier trees and evergreens, frost protection can be enacted by insulating the pot itself with bubble wrap or burlap. A good mulching will also help to insulate the roots from the cold.
Reduce your watering and be mindful
During the winter, while the wind does dry up, the temperature also goes down (this winter especially), meaning that plants such as patio trees don’t need as much water. If you overwater yours in the colder months of the year (which are also no stranger to rain) you risk killing your plants with root rot. The way to avoid overwatering is to be mindful when checking your soil. A quick probe of the top inch should do the trick. If it’s dry, feel free to water, but do so cautiously.
Don’t fertilise through the freeze
Caring for patio fruit trees in the winter means putting a pause on the fertiliser. While it might seem like a good idea to supercharge your soil, adding fertiliser can stimulate new growth – highly vulnerable to colder temperatures, putting the rest of the patio tree in danger.
Prepare your patio trees for spring
While the winter is cold and unforgiving, it’s only a couple of months before the beauty of spring comes around! That is good news when looking after trees for a patio, however, the transition isn’t something that can be approached totally haphazardly. Patio trees that have been taken indoors need to be eased and acclimated back into surroundings – a few hours at a time outdoors, with exposure increasing daily should really do wonders for the plant.
Note: Another top preparation tip for the spring is giving the trees a quick prune!
Weather the winter for a super spring!
If you put in the effort in the winter, you can trust that your patio trees will survive through the colder season ready for a thriving spring. Happy holidays!
Images courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
