It’s been a long, harsh winter with snow, sleet and rain battering the UK. With spring here and warmer temperatures on the way, now is the perfect time to get out in the garden and check how your plants have fared over the colder months.
If you are concerned that some of your plants may have died over the winter, there is a simple way to check if you can bring them back from the brink. After the winter, many plants can look dead due to naturally losing their leaves and entering dormancy. To check if your plants have died, or simply fallen dormant, the experts at gardeningexpress.co.uk have shared an easy tip that will tell you what they need.
The bark test involves gently scraping a small section of the bark using clean secateurs or even a fingernail. By revealing the layer under the bark, you can tell if your plant is still alive or has suffered over the winter.
If the layer that you have exposed by scraping is green and slightly moist, you’re in luck.
This means that your plant has survived the winter and will likely recover as temperatures begin to climb and the growing season approaches.
However, if the layer underneath is dry and brown, you might need to step your game up. This can mean that your plant needs additional careful care – or in the worst case scenario, hasn’t made it through the harsh weather.
If you suspect your plant might be struggling, check the main trunk and other branches just to make sure as the test does not always mean a plant has completely died. Other sections may still be full of life.
It’s also important to know what is normal for each plant as not every species reveals a bright green layer, and for some plants, such as conifers, it may be milky white or slightly brown.
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