Recently transplanted boxwoods - hard freeze expected Saturday

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

As it says in my subject line, I transplanted some smaller (under 2x2ft) wintergem boxwoods on Monday. I am in the Kansas City area zone 5b. We have a had a very warm Autumn so far and of course, it is supposed to be only 26 degrees this Saturday. Is there anything I should do to try to help them through that cold time? Should I I water right before or is that a bad idea? Cover them? I picked up some extra mulch. How deep should I put it?

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Comments (5)

Jean
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Must be watered.Roots in dry soil freeze more rapidly than if soil is moist.

And rig temporary protection - cover with a large cardboard box. Or throw a blanket over them.
Embothrium
8 years ago
26 isn't very cold. Be sure soil is moist and well mulched before freezing starts. But it shouldn't be necessary to cover the tops. At least not for 26.
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cecily
8 years ago
Two inches of mulch - resist the temptation to pile it any higher. I wouldn't cover them either.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
if you watered them in properly at transplant .. deep and thoroughly ....

then one might argue that that is good enough.. and all watering hours before the cold.. would is chill the soil in advance of the cold ... [dont go thinking your some orange farm in FL... ]

cold air temps.. this time of year.. does not necessarily mean that the cold will be long enough to get deep into the soil .. where you want a little root growth/pumping right now ...

the mulch would also prolong soil cooling at depth ... does your version of z5 have soil freeze???

the key usually is moving things in dormancy .. and that occurs as sunlight wanes.. and cold temps come along ... dont go all skinny momma on them now.. after doing it basically at the proper time.. and now thinking your poor babies are going to get cold ... could you have done it a few weeks earlier ... probly ... but you're probably within the proper time anyway ... you are just going to have faith ....

now.. if it were dipping to minus 28 this weekend.. i would also worry .... but then... i would have a multitude of other non plant related problems.. lol ..

and keep in mind.. with no day heat ... if you watered deeply at planting .. odds are.. they will stay moist thru next spring .. there simply wont be enough heat in the day.. to suck out water from depth .... so dont go drowning them for the next few weeks.. insert finger and FIND OUT if they will be needing any further water .... in other words.. dont kill them with too much love ...

see link on watering... if nothing else ...

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub
bengz6westmd
8 years ago
Even if it's 26F, it won't stay that temp for long & certainly won't penetrate into the soil yet. I doubt there's anything to worry about. Mulching, tho, is always a good idea...