Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Winter yard prep, trees, lawn, fertilizer, gnomes, etc

redforever · 10-21-2007, 10:41 AM

Of prime importance in Calgary is to water in any trees and shrubs prior to winter and frost going into the ground. We are in the Chinook zone and those winds are brutal on perennials, trees and shrubs, they can deplete any moisture very quickly.

So water as much as you can now, into November if the weather lasts, so that the ground is nice and wet prior to frost going down. If you have large trees, always a good idea to have a tree well, makes it easier to water.

Come the month of February when we get the most chinooks, it is a good idea to assess the moisture situation and water again if necessary.

In Calgary, it is rarely the cold that gets the trees, shrubs and perennials, it is usually those warm winds. Those winds melt the snow, essentially taking the insulation blanket away. Then the frost can go deeper and that is what will do the plants in. Also, those warm winds can get the sap flowing early, and when the cold weather returns, the tree or shrub is still in spring mode and cant adjust fast enough to winter mode. So another good idea is to shovel the snow from your sidewalks or driveways around those trees and shrubs during the winter months.

10-21-2007, 10:41 AM	#4
redforever Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Exp:	Of prime importance in Calgary is to water in any trees and shrubs prior to winter and frost going into the ground. We are in the Chinook zone and those winds are brutal on perennials, trees and shrubs, they can deplete any moisture very quickly. So water as much as you can now, into November if the weather lasts, so that the ground is nice and wet prior to frost going down. If you have large trees, always a good idea to have a tree well, makes it easier to water. Come the month of February when we get the most chinooks, it is a good idea to assess the moisture situation and water again if necessary. In Calgary, it is rarely the cold that gets the trees, shrubs and perennials, it is usually those warm winds. Those winds melt the snow, essentially taking the insulation blanket away. Then the frost can go deeper and that is what will do the plants in. Also, those warm winds can get the sap flowing early, and when the cold weather returns, the tree or shrub is still in spring mode and cant adjust fast enough to winter mode. So another good idea is to shovel the snow from your sidewalks or driveways around those trees and shrubs during the winter months.