How to Winter Annual Carnations

Preparing For Winter

• 1

  Ensure your carnations are well established before the first threat of frost. This can be done by carefully timing when you set carnations in the soil outdoors. Carnations should be placed in their permanent outdoor location at least 2 months previous to the first threat of frost.

• 2

  Apply a balanced general care fertilizer to your plants once a month. If you are in an area with rich soil, or if your have had your planting beds improved, fertilizing once in the fall, before winter, and once in the spring, after winter, may be sufficient.

• 3

  Water the carnation, soaking the ground around the roots deeply. This should be done regularly in the last weeks before the ground freezes. Insuring the carnation gets water plentifully in the last part of fall can help it suffer drought fatigue during the winter when the ground is frozen, and moisture is less accessible.

• 4

  Deadhead the plant, and remove any damaged foliage before the first frost falls. This can help to prevent disease breeding during the winter months.

• 5

  Cover the carnation plants with a 2-inch deep layer of mulch immediately after the first frost. A heavier mulch should be used in areas where rabbit grazing is a concern to protect the foliage from being eaten during the winter months.

• 6

  Remove the mulch in the spring when new growth appears. Leaving mulch over the carnation too late into the growing season can damage the crown.