For many people living in regions where snow is a part of winter, they are surprised to wake up one day only to find their healthy plants covered in a blanket of white snow that was not supposed to come for two more weeks. Obviously, this is disheartening, especially when there was not time to save many of the plants and flowers planted.

Although you could watch the weather forecast and hope they have it right, chances are you will need to take better measurements to ensure your plants do not die.  For starters, choose plants that are hardy for your region.  You want species that can withstand cold climates so that if you are hit with an unexpected turn in temperatures, they will not die.  Second, you want to make sure your plants and flowers are planted in rich, healthy soil and protected with good mulch.

Then, when the weather begins to get closer to wintertime, you might need to be ready to prepare your garden ahead of schedule to ensure the following spring produces strong and healthy plants.  For example, let us say where you live that the middle of October is when the temperatures begin to dip.  Rather than wait until the end of October, go ahead and start pruning.

You want to take your plants down below heavy foliage so they can be dormant during the colder weather.  If you grow roses, then the limbs will be cut down so that about one foot of the plant is still showing.  Then cover them with a mesh or plastic covering to give them added protection.  If you have other plants and flowers, again, trim them way down.  While they might not look beautiful after pruning and during the winter, by spring, they will quickly sprout.

Once the spring arrives, it is important that you give the plants food rich in nitrogen, phosphate, and phosphorous.  This will ensure they are given what they need to come out of their hibernation and being using energy to develop new limbs, leaves, and flowers.  Again, add new organic soil, fertilizer, and mulch and before long, your garden will look even better than it did the previously year.