Overwintering Advice [Zone 5b]

[paths00]

Hello all,

I recently moved and am faced with implementing a new overwintering solution. Here’s a quick summary of my location and trees.

• Northern Illinois - Zone 5b
• Balcony is south facing
• No access to yard
• Garage is connected to home and in my opinion will remain far too warm in the winter
  Trees: Japanese Maples, Japanese/American Larch, Redwoods, and (Mostly) Pines and Junipers

Current thought:
Leaning towards adding a cold box on the balcony but not sure if I should add insulation, or a heating pad to the bottom of it due to it not being in contact with the ground.

If anyone has gone through something similar any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Shamino]

I live in Maine/Zone 5b and I keep my Junipers in my attached garage all winter...and with a watering every 3 weeks - 4 weeks, they do just fine. Is your garage heated? I ask because mine is not and normal in and out of the home doesn't warm the garage up to make a difference.

 

[paths00]

I live in Maine/Zone 5b and I keep my Junipers in my attached garage all winter...and with a watering every 3 weeks - 4 weeks, they do just fine. Is your garage heated? I ask because mine is not and normal in and out of the home doesn't warm the garage up to make a difference.

Thanks for the response. My garage is not heated but is noticeably warmer which worries me for dormancy

 

[paths00]

Thanks for the response. My garage is not heated but is noticeably warmer which worries me for dormancy

I’ll also note — I’m in a townhome where the garage/basement are on the same level and the home itself is sandwiched between two units. Given that and southern exposure I’d say there’s a noticeable difference in garage temps

 

[WinstonWolfe]

I'd be most concerned with the maples. Everything else should be fine on the balcony. Heating pad would help, but I crowd them all together, build a seasonal structure with foam insulation on the bottom, shade cloth covering over the top, and they do fine. Ive found wind and temperature swings are more problematic than anything. Freeze/ thaw cycle can be a killer to the wrong pots and sensitive trees.