The Vegas Voice 12-19

Protect Plants in the Winter
By: Howard Galin / Happy Gardening
Our Las Vegas winters, although usually
warm, can have brief but intense cold spells
in December and January. With this in mind,
there are preventative measures that should be taken in order to protect
our landscaping.
Check your irrigation tubing, making sure that the narrow
“spaghetti” hosing is buried at least 2” below the ground to prevent
freeze splitting and leaks. Check the valves under the irrigation box and
place insolated “mitten” covers (available at gardening stores) over all
spigots and exposed irrigation piping.
This is also a good time to replenish both inorganic (rock) mulch
as well as organic (wood) mulch in order to protect the soil and roots
from freezing. Any remaining pruning should be completed at this
time. When dealing with deciduous trees, wait until all leaves have
fallen.
With “cold hardy” plants such as lantanas, wait until they die back
and prune to soil level. Roses can now be pruned removing about 1/3
of the top and side branches.
The same holds true for other flowering plants - such as Texas
Rangers, Jasmine and Hawthornes. Proper pruning will stimulate a
more robust regrowth once the growing season begins.
Adhere to the winter watering schedule but try not to water after
the sun goes down in order to prevent residual water from freeing.
There are certain plants that should
receive no water during the cold
months (December through January)
such as cactus, euphorbia, yucca and
agave. Native trees such as Mesquite,
and Joshua Trees should have their
irrigation turned off as well.
Larger delicate plants, such as cactus,
should be wrapped with burlap. Small
or young plants can be protected by
placing Styrofoam cups over their tops.
Another way to keep plants protected
is to wrap them with outdoor (non-
LED) Christmas lights that can be turned on during cold winter nights.
Even an old blanket thrown over delicate bushes and shrubs can protect
them from frost damage.
Potted plants need to be hand watered during the warmest time of
the day when the soil is dry. If possible, place them close to one another
in the sunniest part of your garden or close to your house in order to
take advantage of the sun and reflected warmth.
Have questions? Contact me: Theplantwhisperer28@gmail.com
Howard Galin, a/k/a: “The Plant Whisperer” is a retired NYC
school administrator, transplanted in Las Vegas who devotes his
time to communicating with and lecturing about our native
plants.
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