Yes, our gardens need protection from winter weather. Mulch should be used to protect roots and the soil around perennials and young trees, and tender bulbs should be dug up. But that is not to say that bitter cold does not have its benefits.
Gypsy Moth Caterpillar
Some of the most challenging years in the garden that I have experienced have been those after a mild winter. Insects, disease, and rodents are just more prevalent in those years. This winter has seen some extreme cold in many parts of the country, including here in the northeast.
I don’t want to downplay the hardships that many are facing because of this cold weather, but there will also be a few benefits to our gardens and landscapes because of the sub-zero temperatures.
Damage done by emerald ash borer
We should expect to see less insect damage this coming season because of the bitter cold temperatures this winter. The emerald ash borer, the wooly adelgid aphid, and the gypsy moth have all been wreaking havoc in the past decade or so.
A recent study from the Forest Service (Venette and Abrahamson) in Minnesota showed that 5% of emerald ash borer larvae die at 0°F, 34% of them die at -10°F, 79% at -20°F and 98% at -30°F.
The Gypsy moth will die off at -17F, and the wooly adelgid aphid at just a few degrees below zero. On the other hand, beneficial insects, like bees, generally survive these cold temperatures.
Powdery mildew on a pumpkin plant
Plant pathogens also flourish when winters are mild. According to the University of Illinois Extension Service, “Over 80 percent of our plant diseases are caused by fungi.
A mild winter allows those fungal spores and structures to live on more, decaying moist plant parts.” Below freezing temperatures, on the other hand help to keep plant disease in check.
Even when disease  or insects do not completely kill our garden plants, they certainly can affect the quantity and quality of the harvest. There isn’t a thing we can do about the weather, so I say embrace it. Be thankful for warm winters that save us money on heating our homes, and for bitter cold ones that help to keep destructive insects and disease at bay.
What’s your biggest garden challenge this year?
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To learn how to build a garden that builds healthy soil, be sure to check out my eBook The Art of Gardening: Building Your Soil. You really can become a better gardener, and you really can grow healthy, nourishing produce. It’s all about the soil! Click here to buy now.
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Holly Bose (Your Gardening Friend) says
I love statistics like this. “Cool.” Now when I see the thermometer on our front porch I can know, at various temperatures, the benefits that are on the horizon for my upcoming garden.
P.S. I love the new website look! 🙂
Susan says
Thanks, Holly. I still have some tweaking to do, but I’m getting there.
Jennifer says
I haven’t read any statistics, but my experience in Alaska bears this out as well. I have also noticed that the indigenous plants (mainly wild berries that I notice) have done better the summers after we have very cold weather. It is just my localized observation. I’m glad to see someone posting on this. Thank you.
Susan says
It gives us something to look forward to when it’s so cold out, doesn’t it?
Krystyna @ Spring Mountain Living says
Well, this means our garden should be fabulous this year! We had many sub zero days!
Susan says
Yes, we have to look at the bright side!
Kristel says
It’s so cool that the beneficial insects live, but the pests die in the cold temps. These kind of facts remind me of the amazing Creator that put all these details into place.
On a different topic, I thought of you yesterday when I heard an interview with the author of Eating on the Wild Side. I have not seen the book, but apparently she lists the most nutritious varieties of vegetables to grow in the garden. I’m going to see if our library has the book. Maybe you are familiar with her website eatwild.com.
Susan says
I’m not familiar with that book, Kristel, but I have another book by that author about pastured meat. Thanks for the link to her website!! Hope you are warm and well!
Jackie Patti says
Nice to know there will be a value to the misery! I should have an awesome garden next year.
Susan says
Haha! Yes!
Aubrey says
I gotta say that I’m not a big of this freezing cold weather, but everything serve’s a purpose. Nature knows what she’s doing 🙂
Susan says
… and since we can’t change it, we might as well embrace it. 🙂
linda spiker says
I have a very small yard but gardening is on my list of things to do in 2014! Even if it’s just a container garden. Great post!
Jessica says
I love this! We have a rough few years of gardening and took last year off to build up the soil. Hoping for a good season this year!
Kris says
While I don’t lament our lack of sub-zero weather, it *definitely means more pests to deal with. Hard when you’re trying to do so naturally. Gardening in the tropics is an entirely different ballgame.
Christine @ Once Upon a Time in a Bed of Wildflowers says
I love your attitude! And, while I am not particularly fond of the cold–especially the COLD we have been having this year!–I do enjoy the fact that it kills many harmful bugs. (Sometimes I chant this to myself as I am shoveling the driveway!)
Out of curiosity, did you come across any information on the stink bugs while you were doing your research? How awesome would it be if this cold winter killed off a bunch of them, too?!!
~ Christine
Susan says
I’m not sure what temp will kill them, but I did read that they can endure temperatures of 20 below F.!
Jenny says
My greatest challenge this year is the fact we just moved into a new home. I have to get used to the soil and surroundings so there will be a good amount of trial and error this first year.
Susan says
Yes, it definitely takes a few years to learn a new property!
Ali says
Here in Ga. We always say during cold weather. That it will kill the bugs. To tell you how the weather goes here . We have a saying that goes ” If you don’t like the weather. Wait 5 min it will change.” So us who garden or just hate the bugs welcome any cold. The bug can get really bad here. More down south you go the worse they are. Sense we have had what is considered a harsh winter for us. I am hoping we have less of a bug problem this year. Yet the cold don’t stay long. We had 20 degrees two days ago and yesterday went up to 60 degrees. Which leads me to a ?. Does it matter how long the cold sticks around? Will they die in a hour of the temp needed for them to die. Or do they need longer? Thank You
Susan says
I’m not sure, Ali, how long the temperature needs to stay cold. Depending on the insects, though, they may need it to get colder than 20 degrees for it to help.
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diy says
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Susan Vinskofski says
So sorry, DIY. I don’t use a captcha so I’m afraid I’m no help. 🙂