7 Ways to Protect Your Commercial Property’s Plants This Winter

Winter can be a tough season for the plants on your commercial property, especially in Toronto where freezing temperatures, snow, and harsh winds are common. Without proper care, your landscaping can suffer significant damage, leading to expensive replacements in the spring. To avoid this, it’s important to take proactive steps to protect your plants during the winter months. Below are seven effective ways to protect your commercial property’s plants, ensuring they remain healthy and ready to thrive once the weather warms up again.

One of the most effective ways to protect your plants from the cold is by applying mulch. Mulch acts as a natural insulator, helping to maintain a more consistent soil temperature. It prevents rapid temperature fluctuations that can stress plant roots. A thick layer of mulch around trees, shrubs, and flower beds helps retain soil moisture and protect roots from freezing. The ideal time to apply mulch is before the ground freezes, typically in late fall, so it can lock in moisture and provide a blanket of protection throughout the winter.

Mulching is particularly important for newly planted trees and shrubs, as their root systems are still establishing. Organic mulches like wood chips, straw, or shredded bark are excellent options as they decompose over time, improving soil quality. For commercial properties, applying mulch not only enhances plant health but also contributes to a tidy and well-maintained appearance, even during the colder months.

Frost can be incredibly damaging, especially to sensitive plants or young trees. Wrapping your plants is a simple yet highly effective method to shield them from frost and cold winds. Burlap, frost cloth, or even old blankets can be used to wrap vulnerable plants, especially evergreens, roses, and any tender perennials. Wrapping acts as a barrier against freezing temperatures, preventing frost from directly contacting plant tissues, which can cause cell damage and browning of leaves or needles.

For commercial properties, this extra step not only protects your investment in landscaping but also maintains the aesthetic integrity of your outdoor spaces. Unkempt, frost-damaged plants can detract from the property’s appearance, while protected plants remain healthier and more vibrant. Be sure to secure the wraps loosely to avoid constricting the plants and allow some airflow to prevent mold or mildew buildup.

It might seem counterintuitive to water your plants before winter, but proper hydration is essential for their survival through cold weather. Once the ground freezes, plant roots can no longer take in moisture from the soil, which can lead to dehydration, especially for evergreens and newly planted trees. Deep watering in late fall ensures that plants have sufficient moisture stored in their roots to last through the winter.

On commercial properties, which often feature expansive landscaping, irrigation systems should be timed to provide deep, thorough watering before the first hard freeze. Pay special attention to newly installed plants, as they need extra water to establish their root systems. For large properties, this is a relatively easy step that can prevent costly plant losses due to winter drought.

Pruning is an essential part of winter plant care, especially for trees and large shrubs on commercial properties. Winter snow and ice can weigh down branches, leading to breakage. Broken branches not only damage the plant but also pose a risk to nearby structures, vehicles, or pedestrians. By pruning dead, diseased, or damaged branches before winter, you can prevent such issues and ensure the health of your plants.

Pruning also helps encourage stronger growth in the spring. However, it’s important to prune correctly—avoid over-pruning or cutting too close to the main stem, as this can leave the plant vulnerable to disease. If your commercial property has many trees, it may be worth hiring a professional landscaping service to ensure that pruning is done safely and effectively.

Winter winds can be especially damaging to evergreens, causing a condition known as “winter burn,” where the foliage dries out due to water loss. Because evergreens retain their leaves or needles year-round, they continue to lose moisture through evaporation, even when the ground is frozen and water is unavailable. To combat this, apply an anti-desiccant spray, which coats the leaves or needles with a protective layer that reduces moisture loss.

This protective measure is essential for commercial properties that feature evergreens as part of their landscape design. Without it, your evergreens may turn brown or drop needles by the end of winter, diminishing the appearance of your property. Anti-desiccant sprays are especially important for plants located in exposed areas where they are more vulnerable to harsh winds.

For plants located in open, windy areas, setting up windbreaks is a simple yet highly effective way to protect them from drying winds. Strong winter winds can dehydrate plants, especially those that are not naturally hardy. Temporary windbreaks made from burlap, fencing, or wooden panels can help reduce wind exposure, keeping your plants healthier throughout the winter.

On a commercial property, windbreaks can also be used to protect walkways or outdoor seating areas, creating a more pleasant environment even during colder months. By strategically placing windbreaks around sensitive plants or exposed areas, you can significantly reduce the impact of wind damage and ensure that your plants emerge from winter in better condition.

Plants in pots or planters are particularly vulnerable to cold weather because their roots are above ground and more exposed to freezing temperatures. For commercial properties, where decorative planters often enhance entrances or courtyards, it’s important to take steps to protect these plants from the cold. If possible, move potted plants indoors or to a sheltered location like a garage or greenhouse. For larger planters that cannot be moved, wrap the pots in insulating materials such as bubble wrap or burlap to provide extra protection.

Potted plants also benefit from being clustered together, as this creates a microclimate that helps to retain warmth. Additionally, placing planters close to building walls can provide some extra heat and shelter from the wind. These simple steps can help preserve the beauty of your commercial property’s potted plants through the winter and ensure they’re ready to shine again in spring.