Preparing your thuja: Essential winter care tips for gardeners

Thujas, also known as arborvitae, are a popular choice among gardeners in Canada. Their evergreen leaves add elegance to gardens all year round. However, preparing thuja for winter is essential for these plants to develop properly in the spring.

Winter doesn't mean completely abandoning thuja care. Despite the low temperatures, these plants still need proper watering. Thuja require watering until the first frosts appear. Even though the temperature drops, the soil around thuja shouldn't be dry. Watering thuja before winter allows for water to be stored, which the plants will use during the long, frosty months.

It's worth monitoring soil moisture and watering if necessary, even in winter during thaws. This can significantly help prevent the so-called physiological drought, which can be particularly dangerous for evergreen shrubs like thuja.

What's the next step after thoroughly watering thuja at the end of November? Mulching. This method effectively protects the soil and plants from frost and moisture loss, providing them with optimal conditions to survive the cold months.

A "carpet" of natural mulch also helps prevent the growth of weeds that can compete with the thuja for nutrients. It's crucial to clean the area of weeds and fallen leaves beforehand.

A layer of mulch about 10 centimetres thick should be evenly spread around the thuja, maintaining a distance of about 10 centimetres from the trunk to prevent rotting. Doing this before the first frosts arrive is recommended, while the ground is not yet completely frozen.

Covering thuja for winter is a critical step to ensure protection from extreme weather conditions. Agro-textiles or special straw mat covers can create an effective protective barrier against cold winds and sudden temperature drops. These covers should be installed when the first frosts occur so the plant can still benefit from natural light and warmth.