The lack of any relics has caused skeptics to question whether the supposed desert wonder was just an “historical mirage.” A group of German archaeologists even spent two decades at the turn of the 20th century trying to unearth signs of the ancient wonder without any luck. First-hand accounts did not exist, and for centuries, archaeologists have hunted in vain for the remains of the gardens. The multiple Greek and Roman accounts of the Hanging Gardens, however, were second-hand–written centuries after the wonder’s alleged destruction. Scientists have surmised that a system of pumps, waterwheels and cisterns would have been employed to raise and deliver the water from the nearby Euphrates River to the top of the gardens. To make the desert bloom, a marvel of irrigation engineering would have been required. as a gift to his wife, Amytis, who was homesick for the beautiful vegetation and mountains of her native Media (the northwestern part of modern-day Iran). Exotic plants, herbs and flowers dazzled the eyes, and fragrances wafted through the towering botanical oasis dotted with statues and tall stone columns.īabylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II was said to have constructed the luxurious Hanging Gardens in the sixth century B.C. Amid the hot, arid landscape of ancient Babylon, lush vegetation cascaded like waterfalls down the terraces of the 75-foot-high garden. Pull the mulch away from plants in early spring so new shoots can see the sun.Greek and Roman texts paint vivid pictures of the luxurious Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Erect them over a frame to keep the plant from freezing and still allow some air and light inside. There are also insulated thermal blankets you can purchase. In some regions, rodent control will be necessary to prevent squirrels and rats from gnawing on the plants. Piles of pine mulch or straw are also excellent for preparing plants for winter. For added winter care for container plants, cover with leaf litter and mulch around the stems and trunks of the plants. You literally insert the plant, pot and all, into a hole that covers it to the surface level. Most plants will overwinter nicely if planted in the ground. Alternate Method of Overwintering Container Plants If you only have a colored tarp, make sure to uncover the plant during the warmest part of the day every couple of days to get light. Some plants do fine without a cover, but for really hard freezes, you may want to have a clear tarp available to tent over tender plants that are not inside some support structure. Similarly, an unheated greenhouse works great for overwintering container plants or even a hoophouse. If you have windows in your garage, you can store your container plants in an unheated garage. Water well to prevent dessication and give moisture occasionally if the plants are in a dry area.Ĭluster pots together with the smallest on the center under an overhang, hedge or other protected area. Plants that are deciduous or die back should have the tops cut back to the crown. Finally, the potted plants winter care moves to root zone defense. Pick off any dropped leaves on the surface of the soil to prevent fungal issues, like Boytris, which overwinter on foliage. Ensure the plant is in a container with drainage holes in well-draining medium. Excessively wet plants also have a tendency to rot in confined spaces with too little drainage. Overwatering, however, can cause the pot to break due to the expansion of the ice as it forms. Water has a temperature above freezing and it actually gives off heat as part of the freezing process, which can help protect the roots. In addition to the fact that potted plants have exposed roots, container plants in winter also have the challenge of overly dry or overly wet soil. Begin preparations well before that first freeze or you may lose one of your prized plants. Potted plants winter care is important because there is not much buffer between the roots and the outdoor temperatures, making roots more sensitive to cold than those in the ground. A few steps and tricks will provide protection for container plants in winter.Ĭontainer plantings give dimension and texture to the outdoor living space, but they need some extra help to withstand cold temperatures. Container plants in winter need tender loving care to see them through until the balmy spring season. Freezing temperatures, gusty winds and dry winter conditions can adversely affect your potted outdoor plants.
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