Garden Talk: Rebounding From A Harsh Winter

Air Date:
Heard On The Larry Meiller Show
Melting snow on plants

As the snow melts after a harsh winter, you might discover damaged trees, shrubs, and wildlife feeding on everything! Plus, what has all the salt used this year done to our plants? This week on Garden Talk, Larry Meiller talks with a horticulture educator about what we can do to salvage our plants this spring.

Featured in this Show

  • If Melting Snow Reveals Broken Bushes, Expert Says 'Be Patient'

    As temperatures finally begin to climb after a long winter in Wisconsin, the melting snow might reveal the sight of damaged bushes and shrubs. Depending on the severity of the damage, it might be hard to tell whether they can bounce back.

    Diana Alfuth, a horticulture educator for the University of Wisconsin-Extension in Pierce County, said that some bushes and shrubs have had a rough winter.

    “We have evergreen shrubs and we have deciduous shrubs, and a lot of them were just flattened with the snow because the snow piles and the drifts were just so big,” said Alfuth.

    Despite the appearance of broken stems and significant damage, Alfuth said there might not be cause for too much concern. In many cases, it’s simply too soon to tell.

    “With a lot of these things, you’re going to have to really get in there and inspect what was broken, and be patient and see what comes back,” Alfuth advised. “Certainly, if anything’s broken it’s going to have to be removed.”

    Alfuth reminded gardeners that pruning creates growth, which will cause new shoots to come up. It might take a year or two before a shrub regains good shape again.

    For a smaller shrub that shows significant damage to the stem, for example, it might be time to think about replacing it.

    Alfuth added one note of caution, however: “I would wait.

    “On a lot of these things, we aren’t going to know until mid-May (or) early June — when the buds are breaking and the leaves are coming out — just how severe the damage is,” Alfuth said. “Don’t be in a hurry. It’s still a good excuse to be lazy and stay in the house.”

Episode Credits

  • Larry Meiller Host
  • Cynthia Schuster Producer
  • Diana Alfuth Guest

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