It’s not just you that gets lazy in winter, your little plants too! During this period, they enter a state of dormancy and don’t even think about waking them up. This hibernating metabolism of plants makes them beautiful and strong for spring and summer.
Keep following the post to better understand what happens to plants in winter and how to take care of them properly during that season.
What happens to plants in winter?
With lower temperatures and less sunlight, plants go into a dormant or hibernation state. This natural characteristic of plants is purposeful. Upon entering dormancy, plants save energy to come back refreshed in spring. As a result, many plants fail to present new sprouts, fruits, and flowers during the winter, except for the type species of that time that make the opposite movement.
So, don’t try to wake your little plants with fertilizer in anticipation of them releasing new leaves. This is a huge mistake that can lead to unnecessary suffering. Leave your plants asleep and don’t worry: they’ll be back in spring!
How to care for plants in winter
Seek the light
In winter, the days are shorter and the incidence of sunlight is lower. Not to mention that the days tend to be cloudier. All of this interferes with plant metabolism. And you, as a good caregiver, must be aware of these changes to continue offering your seedlings everything they need. Even in dormancy, plants continue to carry out the photosynthesis process and, therefore, they need light in the same way.
If your house gets darker during the winter, a tip is to move the vases, taking them to a brighter room or even to the outside of the house. This greater proximity to light also helps the plants to warm up during the day, preventing the soil from creating moisture and, consequently, fungi and bacteria.
Colder, less watering
The cold makes environments more humid. This is no different with plants. The vase they are in ends up retaining water longer, making the soil take longer to dry. During this colder period, the plants “drink” less water, meaning they need less watering.
Therefore, the recommendation is to halve the water supply during the winter. If you water the pots three times a week during the summer, water them only once in the winter. Wait for the soil to dry before offering water again. Excess moisture is a big problem during this period, being responsible for the appearance of fungi, bacteria, and pests, in addition to harming and even causing the roots to rot.
Soft earth
Make it a habit to observe the potting soil during the winter. During this period, it is common for the soil to compact and become hard, making it difficult for water to penetrate and even for the ventilation necessary for the plant.
One way to notice this problem is during watering. If you notice that the water is taking too long to be absorbed, it’s a sign that you need to fluff. In pots, this procedure can be done with the handle of a spoon, always taking care not to reach the roots. In gardens and vegetable gardens, soften the earth using a rake.
Flowering plants to grow in winter
- Camellia;
- Perfect love;
- Witch Hazel;
- Lavender;
- Hyacinth;
- tulips
- Hydrangea;
- Geranium;
- Dahlia;
- Cyclamen;
Vegetables to grow in winter
- Lettuce;
- Butter cabbage;
- Celery;
- Parsley;
- Scallion;
- Cress;
- Leek;
- Mint;
- Spinach
Now that you know how to take care of the plants in winter, go there and see if your greens are ok and take the opportunity to make a new garden.
