As the popular expression would say, “not everything is flowers”. This is exactly what caretakers and plant enthusiasts should keep in mind – although many species draw attention during the flowering season, one must understand that even when they are not displaying their flowersit is necessary to maintain all care. This will ensure a beautiful and healthy plant all year round.

The agronomist from forth gardenMarcos Feliciano, warns about the fact that Brazil is a tropical country and with a large territory, with characteristics that vary according to each region.

“Our country is huge, so plant care, even during the same time of year, can be different for each region. In the winter in São Paulo, for example, temperatures can drop a lot and this makes it necessary to water some species less, such as orchids”, he says.

“On the other hand, in Brasilia, which is drier and hotter, care for orchids must be different, it is necessary to increase the watering in this period. In general, the rule will always be: with high temperatures, the plants are active and consuming more water and nutrients, while with lower temperatures the opposite happens”, completes the specialist.

Speaking of care, both in winter and in other seasons, it is important to be attentive to keep all the needs of the plants up to date. In addition to watering, they will also need to receive nutrients, light and adequate spacenot to mention the preventive and recovery maintenance, which must be observed and carried out according to the way in which each one behaves.

But calm down. For those who think that all these processes can be complex, the Forth Jardim agronomist gives tips on good practices during the winter. Check out:

Protect mainly ornamental species

Intense cold is undoubtedly the most worrying factor for most ornamental species. frost and snow can kill most plants, so if the area where you live there is the possibility of snow or frost, protect your plants, take them indoors.

Watch out for fungus

In regions where the temperature is warmer, the plants practically do not even notice the change of season, they remain active, sprouting, growing and flowering.

In winter, in the Northeast for example, there are regions where it rains a lot and it is very hot, this favors the appearance of leaf spots caused by fungi. If this happens to your plant, you will need to apply a fungicide.

It is normal for some species to go into rest or “dormancy”

It is common for some species to go into dormancy or reduce their growth during the winter. Examples of plants that hibernate Liquidambar, the Plantain and Acer. The leaves change color and then fall off, but when the season changes, they renew their leaves.

In the case of lawns there is a reduction in growth, it passes from the vegetative to the reproductive phase. It is possible to notice many “hubs” with seeds. For this reason, fertilizing lawns has to be different in winter, or even not fertilizing, leaving it to do it in early spring.

There are also species that have a false rest, which can look like they are in numbness, but they are not. This is the case with the Ipês that lose their leaves and soon after bloom.

In winter there is also fertilization

Fertilization is the way to feed the plants and return to the soil what was removed. The Brazilian winter is not rigorous, in addition to having regions where it is not necessarily cold during this period, as is the case in the North and Northeast.

There is also the issue of species, there are those that bloom in winter, releasing new leaves and branches, which means they are active and consuming nutrients. In this case, it is necessary to fertilize them.

Pruning can and should be done all year round.

Pruning can be done at any time of the year, the “custom” of doing it only in autumn or winter comes from abroad, from regions where the winter is very rigorous and the plants really rest. In these countries, it is used when they are dormant to prune the trees so that when the winter period is over, they regrow vigorously.

The Brazilian tropical climate allows for year-round pruning, mainly to remove dry branches, with pests and diseases. In the case of fruit trees, including, pruning must be constant, so that you always have a well-formed, productive plant that makes it easier to harvest the fruits.

Some species do very well in winter.

There are some plants that counteract the issue of winter dormancy. Leafy vegetables like lettuce and chicory grow much more in winter than in summer. Broccoli and Cauliflower are other good examples, as they need cold to bloom, this being the best time to grow them.

There are also flowers that like and need a cold climate, this is the case of the pansy, which can be grown in the South and Southeast at this time, as it does not develop well in other seasons.

There are many species such as azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas, lavender, marigolds, kalanchoes, among others, that bloom during this season, proving that it is possible to have a flower garden in winter.