The ‘Scoop has heard from so many of you about how your perennials have not come back or are late to the party. I feel ya. My Joe Pye Weed that I planted a few years ago are just sticks poking out of the ground. Fellow longtime gardeners are bereft at the loss of so many long-established Coneflowers. My Carpet Roses, which have been with me for a decade, are really struggling.
My rain garden is looking sad too with most of the Little Bluestem ‘Carousel’ looking dead. I won’t give up... yet.
Talking with some of the Experts at Gertens, they’re fielding a lot of questions regarding dead perennials.
So, what’s going on? A couple of significant events, or rather, non-events. A huge deficit in snowfall along with a significant number of artic temperatures. Taken from a site called Farmonaut, an organization for Agriculture: One of the most significant impacts of the snowfall deficit is the increased frost penetration into the soil. Brad Carlson, an Extension Educator at the University of Minnesota at Mankato, explains that the depth of frost is primarily influenced by two factors: the duration of below-zero temperatures and the moisture content in the soil.
In a typical winter, a layer of snow acts as an insulating blanket, protecting the soil from extreme cold and limiting frost penetration. However, this year’s lack of snow cover has allowed frost to reach deeper into the ground, potentially altering soil composition and structure.
This is really fascinating stuff to those of us with a gardening passion! Or maybe it’s just me. Nonetheless the health of our soil is paramount to the health of our plants. Terry Matthews, a farmer from Olmsted County shared this:
- Frost can alter soil structure, potentially affecting its ability to retain moisture and nutrients.
- In rocky soils, deeper frost can push rocks to the surface, creating challenges for spring tillage.
- Paradoxically, frost can also help alleviate soil compaction to some extent, offering a silver lining to the situation.
Is there anything we can do? Yes, with the first step checking out information from the University of Minnesota Extension called Managing Soil and Nutrients in Yards and Gardens. If you don’t have the time to start your own compost, there are plenty of options at Gertens for soil conditioners, compost and amendments. I personally like their Green Loon brand. Talk with their experts if you’re not sure what works for your situation. You also might consider an actual soil test – the one I’ve linked you to is the most comprehensive. More information on deciphering your Soil Test.
Diggin’ in,
The Garden Scoop
