wintering

[Corwyn13]

HI gang,

well it's that time of year again, and I am looking for some practical advice on wintering because I obviously suck at it! ( at least with larger potted trees)

After gallant attempts I lost yet another old tree from failing to bring it through the winter, It just never recovered and wnet down hill. I THINK I under water them

SO I am south of Boston, Have an unheated garage that does get some light,
Junipers, bald cypress, wild cherry, couple of maples

Do I put them in the garage, leave them out how often and how much would you water?? ANy other tips please

 

[Dav4]

HI gang,

well it's that time of year again, and I am looking for some practical advice on wintering because I obviously suck at it! ( at least with larger potted trees)

After gallant attempts I lost yet another old tree from failing to bring it through the winter, It just never recovered and wnet down hill. I THINK I under water them

SO I am south of Boston, Have an unheated garage that does get some light,
Junipers, bald cypress, wild cherry, couple of maples

Do I put them in the garage, leave them out how often and how much would you water?? ANy other tips please

Without knowing the exact species you grow, I'll say all of your trees will over winter just fine outside in the shade and under mulch. I grew bonsai in northern Bristol County for 10 years back in the 90's and 2000's when winter lows went well below 0 F for at least a week and there would be at least a few weeks where temps wouldn't get much above 20 F. I did use an unattached garage for some of my collection back then, but I let everything in there, on the concrete floor and mulched, freeze hard by Xmas and did my best to keep them frozen until March. I think those days are over, but if you think you can keep the temps in your garage consistently below 40 F until spring, it might be a viable option .

 

[stubmle]

I agree with Dav4, good advice for our area. Hardy stuff I leave outside in a sheltered area, mulched in and packed with snow if available. Smaller and more sensitive things I put in the garage.
I check moisture periodically, maybe weekly? If they are frozen solid there is no point in watering. Otherwise I just make sure they do not dry out completely. I think on average it comes out to maybe every few weeks I have to water.
All of your stuff would probably be OK outside, assuming we get yet another mild winter. Past few years have been weird. I remember a lot more snow when I was a kid.

If you have anything really nice, it might be worthwhile to have a local nursery overwinter them for you. I think NEBG and Bonsai West both offer this service.

 

[Paradox]

Garage can be tricky. I used to keep mine in my attached garage but it stays too warm and things leafed out too early. I now use a coldframe against the house and only cover it when it goes below 30. If I can get snow in there for a bit, great. Winter here does not stay consistently below freezing so I try to avoid freeze-thaw-freeze-thaw.

Last winter was really dry, the driest I can remember and I had a problem with a couple of trees because I didn't water the coldframe enough. Didn't lose the trees but definitely set them back. I need to be more vigilant to that even in winter and probably water once every week or two if we get another dry winter.

Even after so many years, the constant unpredictable weather you don't account for can bite you in the arse.