Greening Your Landscape: Selecting the Right Plants and Materials for Winnipeg's Climate

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Winnipeg’s weather can be unpredictable—one day your yard will be covered in snow and when it warms up, everything else will melt. The good news is that Spring is around the corner. On the other hand, your landscape might look like a disaster. That’s why you need to know what plants and landscaping practices are best for the weather.

You likely don't know where to start, but that’s okay! In our comprehensive guide, we will discuss the most versatile plants and landscaping techniques to suit your needs.

Understanding Winnipeg’s Climate and Growing Conditions

Winnipeg has a continental climate, which makes growing plants quite challenging. There are only 90-120 frost-free days per year, and the long, harsh winters make growing plants a challenge. On the coldest days of winter, temperatures can dip down to as low as -40℃. With that in mind, you should know about Winnipeg’s soil conditions.

Soil Conditions

Winnipeg’s soils can vary. From clay-heavy to sandy, unfortunately, soil drainage is a common problem. That’s why you need to understand the soil you’re working with before you purchase plants. Clay soils can cause water to pool around plant roots, resulting in root rot. On the flip side, sandy soils are not as great at retaining moisture, which plants need to survive. Add organic compost, mulch, or a soil conditioner to retain moisture and promote healthy root systems. 

The weather and condition of your soil affect your plants and landscape in more ways than one. Because of this, you have to be careful when you go out shopping. We will dive into the best plants for Winnipeg’s landscape next.

Best Plants for Winnipeg’s Landscape

Not everyone has a green thumb, but you don’t have to when you have some basic know-how. Understanding which plants will thrive when will allow you to choose the best options for your garden. Check out some of the plants that are sure to thrive in Winnipeg’s harsh climate.

Trees and Shrubs

You can give your landscape an upgrade with a variety of trees and shrubs, but which do you choose? Consider the following:

• Cold-Tolerant Trees: Black Hills Spruce, Silver Maple, and Balsam Fir thrive in Winnipeg’s freezing temperatures. They are not hardy, and still offer beauty and functionality year-round.

• Hardy Shrubs: Choose Lilacs, Forsythia, and Dogwoods, which bloom in early spring and withstand the cold months.

• Evergreens: Pine, Spruce and Fir trees offer year-round greenery while protecting your home from winter winds.
  

Perennials

One of the best parts about perennials is they always bloom again at the same time of year. That’s why people tend to love them so much. Consider planting these in Winnipeg:

• Cold-Hardy Perennials: Daylilies, Black-eyed Susan, and Hostas are all reliable since they bloom year after year even during Winnipeg’s short growing season.

• Edible Plants: The majority of vegetables are ideal for the city’s colder months. Try growing some carrots, kale, radishes, or peas. 

Ground Covers and Native Plants

The last thing you want to happen is your soil going bad. Ground covers can help you with this issue. Creeping Jenny and Creeping Thyme help prevent soil erosion and keep weeds at bay. You can also try using native plants like Wild Geranium, Coneflower, and Prairie Grass that are already adapted to the local climate—they are fairly low maintenance.

Adding plants to your landscape is a surefire way to make it pop, but knowing which ones to have is even better. Plants can adapt to their environment, but some are better at it than others. You can complement your plants with hardscaping materials, which we will learn about next.

Finding the Right Hardscaping Materials

Hardscaping is a well-known practice that’s designed to help your landscape last longer. However, you need to know the right materials to choose from when you live in Winnipeg. They have to be durable and able to withstand freeze-thaw cycles. Let’s get into them.

Paving Stones and Patios

Stones are a staple of any landscape, especially when it comes to patios. After all, they are the place you go to when the weather warms up to relax. Use the following materials:

• Interlocking Pavers: Ideal for walkways, patients, and driveways, interlocking pavers can withstand the freeze-thaw process without cracking. 

• Flagstone: If you love natural, rustic walkways, patios, or garden paths, flagstone will work for you.
  

Mulch and Rip Rap Beds

Sometimes, plants need a little help growing. That’s what mulch and rip rap beds are for. We explain below:

• Organic Mulch: Opt for organic mulches like cedar are pine bark since they are perfect for insulating plant growth and prevent weed growth. They also retain moisture.

• Stone and Rip Rap: Experiencing drainage issues? If you are, river rock and rip rap beds are ideal. They allow water to move through, preventing flooding and erosion at the same time.
  

Water Features

Concrete and basalt stone are designed with Winnipeg’s weather in mind. If you are going to add water features like fountains or ponds to your landscape, choose these materials. They add tranquility and visual appeal and resist extreme temperatures at the same time.

When it comes to hardscaping, you have to get the job right. Choosing the wrong materials can be detrimental to your landscape. That’s why you need to establish a seasonal maintenance routine. We will tell you how to establish one in the next section.

Seasonal Maintenance for a Thriving Landscape

What does a landscape need to last? Well, first off, a good maintenance routine. When you take care of your landscape, it will work for you. Check out some of our tips to adapt your landscape to the conditions.

Winterizing

If you recently planted some plants and trees, don’t let all that hard work go to waste. Apply mulch around your perennials to keep them safe from freezing temperatures. If you have young trees, wrap them in burlap to keep them safe from winter winds and sunburn.

Watering and Fertilizing

While both of these tips might seem like common sense, you’d be surprised how many people forget to water and fertilize their plants. However, this shouldn’t be overlooked if you want your plants to live long, prosperous lives. Here’s what you need to know. 

• Watering: Water your plants, especially during Winnipeg’s hot, dry summer months. Early morning is the best way to reduce water loss that can occur as a result of evaporation.

• Fertilizing: Always fertilize your garden in the spring and fall to promote healthy growth. Organic fertilizers tend to enrich the soil naturally.

Pruning

Ideally, you should prune your plants during the early spring or late fall. This is the most effective way to remove dead or damaged branches, improving the overall health of your trees and shrubs.

By following our advice, you can keep your plants and landscapes in top shape. While something like watering your plants might seem straightforward, you might forget about it and end up with a bunch of dead flowers and trees. That’s the importance of establishing a routine and sticking with it.

Create a Beautiful Sustainable Landscape in Winnipeg Today!

Designing a landscape that thrives in Winnipeg is a rewarding experience. However, doing so by yourself can be challenging, especially if you have a lot of trees and plants to look after. Let Neil & Nick’s Landscaping take the guesswork out of maintaining your property. We’re here to help you with all your needs.

We understand Winnipeg’s unpredictable weather. Contact us today for personalized advice and to create your dream outdoor space today!