The overwintering protection of vertical gardens should be combined with the cold resistance, structural stability and regional climate characteristics of plants. Through scientific protection, the risk of frost damage should be reduced to ensure the safe overwintering of plants and maintain the landscape effect. The following is an explanation from four aspects: plant protection, structural maintenance, water management and emergency measures.
Cold resistance assessment and classification treatment
Cold-resistant plants such as ivy, Holly, and boxwood can be kept in their original positions, and dead branches and diseased leaves should be pruned appropriately to reduce nutrient consumption.
Semi-cold-resistant plants: such as Camellia japonica, Nandina officinalis, and some coly-leaf grasses, need to be covered with cold-proof materials (such as non-woven fabric, straw curtains), and the covering height should exceed the top of the plant by 10-15cm.
Plants that are not cold-resistant, such as impatiens, dahlias, and tropical foliage plants, should be moved indoors or into greenhouses in advance. Before transplanting, they should be pruned to one-third of their original height to reduce transpiration.
Coverage and wrapping technology
Selection of covering materials: Prioritize the use of non-woven fabric, straw curtains or pine needles with good air permeability. Avoid using plastic film (as it may cause excessive internal humidity and lead to rot).
Wrapping method:
For small plants or modular planting units, they can be wrapped as a whole in Burgundy bags or cold-proof covers.
For large vertical structures, it is necessary to cover them in layers. First, cover the plant layer, and then reinforce the frame to prevent wind.
Fixing method: Use hemp rope or special fixing clips to fix the covering on the frame to prevent it from being blown off by the wind.
Cold resistance agents and nutritional supplements
Spray cold-resistant agents: 10 to 15 days before the arrival of the cold wave, spray potassium dihydrogen phosphate and amino acid-based foliar fertilizers to enhance the concentration of plant cell SAP and lower the freezing point.
Root topdressing: Before the soil freezes, shallowly bury well-rotted organic fertilizer (such as cow dung or compost) to increase the soil temperature by 2-3℃, and at the same time, supplement long-lasting slow-release fertilizer.
Frame reinforcement
Inspect the connecting parts: Focus on checking whether the bolts and welding points are loose, and carry out anti-rust treatment on the rusted areas (such as applying anti-rust paint).
Increase support: Install diagonal support rods at the bottom of the vertical garden to form a triangular stable structure and disperse wind loads.
Windproof fixation: Connect the frame to the main structure of the building or ground anchor points with steel wire ropes to prevent the entire structure from overturning due to strong winds.
Waterproof layer protection
Clear accumulated water: Check if the drainage holes are blocked, and promptly remove fallen leaves and debris to prevent water from freezing and expanding in winter, which could damage the waterproof layer.
Leak repair treatment: For the damaged areas of the waterproof layer, local repairs should be carried out with waterproof coating or waterproof rolls. The repair area should extend more than 10cm beyond the edge of the damage.
Medium protection
Insulation layer addition: Cover the surface of the planting medium with 5-8cm thick pine needles, wood chips or ceramsite to reduce heat loss.
Antifreeze application: For root areas prone to frost damage, low-concentration antifreeze (such as calcium chloride solution) can be applied by irrigation, with the concentration controlled at 0.5%-1%.
Water control strategy
Reduce irrigation frequency: In winter, the transpiration of plants weakens. The amount of irrigation should be reduced to 1/3 to 1/2 of that in summer to prevent the medium from being too wet and causing root rot.
Irrigation time adjustment: Choose to irrigate at noon when the temperature is relatively high, and the water temperature should be close to the medium temperature (with a difference of no more than 5℃).
Anti-icing measures
Drainage system maintenance: Ensure that there is no water accumulation in the drip irrigation pipes and drainage channels to prevent the pipes from being damaged by freezing and expansion due to low temperatures at night.
Emergency drainage: Before the cold wave arrives, manually drain the excess water in the planting modules to reduce the risk of freezing.
Humidity control
Ventilation management: Open Windows for ventilation for 1 to 2 hours at noon on sunny days to reduce the humidity inside the covering and prevent mold growth.
Humidity monitoring: Use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity inside the covering and maintain the relative humidity between 60% and 70%.
Cold wave warning response
Temporary heating: In extremely low-temperature weather, electric blankets or infrared heating lamps can be used to provide local heating to key plants. Be sure to avoid direct contact with the plant tissues.
Smoke and frost prevention: On windless nights, a smoke layer is formed by burning straw or anti-frost smoke agents to reduce heat loss from the ground.
Response to Snow Disaster
Snow removal operation: After heavy snowfall, promptly use a soft broom or snow blower to clear the accumulated snow from the frames and plants to prevent the branches from being broken or the structures from collapsing.
Structural reinforcement: For areas with excessive snow accumulation, gently tap the frame with bamboo poles to promote the sliding of snow, and at the same time check the deformation of the frame.
Post-disaster recovery
Frost damage assessment: After the spring thaw, inspect the frost condition of the plant roots and branches, and prune off the completely dead parts.
Rejuvenation treatment: For plants that are less affected by the cold, spray rooting agents (such as indolebutyric acid) and foliar fertilizers to promote the emergence of new roots and the growth of new leaves.
Cold regions in the north
Increase the thickness of the covering layer to 15-20cm. If necessary, install polystyrene foam board insulation on the outside of the frame.
Irrigation is completely halted in winter, and only a small amount of water is replenished when the temperature rises above 5℃.
The humid and cold area in the south
Focus on strengthening drainage to prevent the medium from being damp for a long time and causing root rot.
The covering material should be made of better breathable materials (such as linen) to avoid excessive internal humidity.
Plateau or arid areas
Reduce the use of mulch to avoid plant tissue rupture caused by excessive temperature differences between day and night.
In winter, potassium fertilizers (such as potassium sulfate) should be supplemented to enhance the cold resistance of plants.
Safety first
When working at heights, it is necessary to wear a safety belt, use insulated tools, and avoid electric shock or falls.
Heating equipment should be kept away from flammable materials and equipped with fire extinguishers.
Environmental protection principle
The covering materials and cold-proof materials should be degradable or recyclable to avoid white pollution.
Prohibit the use of highly toxic and highly residual pesticides to prevent pollution of soil and water sources.
Dynamic monitoring
Install temperature and humidity sensors to monitor the environmental parameters in the vertical garden in real time.
Establish an overwintering log to record information such as temperature, snowfall, and plant conditions, providing a basis for subsequent management.
The overwintering protection of 3D artificial vertical gardens should follow the principle of "plant-oriented, structure-based, and preventation-oriented". Through classified protection, structural reinforcement, scientific water control and emergency response, the risk of frost damage can be reduced. The key lies in:
Accurately assess the cold resistance of plants: Distinguish between cold-resistant, semi-cold-resistant and non-cold-resistant plants, and take differentiated protective measures.
Strengthen structural stability: Ensure the overall safety of the vertical garden through measures such as reinforcement, wind prevention, and frost protection.
Dynamic adjustment of management strategies: Flexibly adjust measures such as coverage, irrigation, and heating based on regional climate and real-time weather conditions.
Ultimately, achieve the "safe overwintering" of vertical gardens in winter and the "rapid recovery" in spring, maintaining their long-term ecological and landscape value.
Contact: Amy
Phone: 86-15311787313
E-mail: info@foszmac.com
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