Although summer may be drawing to a close, September is the perfect time to get ahead with gardening maintenance for winter and next spring. Ish, a garden designer shared the jobs all Japanese maple owners should be doing now to protect the plant through the cold winter months.
In a video posted on TikTok, Ish wrote in the caption: “Give your Acer the best care in early autumn to prepare it for a cold winter. Using my beginner gardener friendly gardening tips you’ll be able to protect, feed and keep your Acer happy in my autumn gardening routine ready for its dormant stage and give it a burst of life and foliage in spring next year.”
It doesn’t matter if the Japanese acer is planted in a pot or in the ground, either would benefit from a few care steps in autumn. This will help prepare the plant for the cold winter ahead, but also give it a “good kickstart” for the coming spring.
Firstly, you’ll want to make sure that the plant is given a slow-release feed. Sprinkle a handful directly in the pot or on the soil beside the base of the plant before giving it water.
Ish said: “Now a slow-releasing acer feed is high in potassium and phosphorus as opposed to nitrogen, meaning it focuses all its energy right down here, in root development.”
The feed will help the roots become strong ready for the winter, and will carry them through until spring. To help protect the plant further – and keep it hydrated – you want to retain moisture.
This can be done by adding a well-drenched mulch onto the surface, either with a multi-purpose compost or leaves. “By having that mulch there, you’ll provide a slow release, organic matter,” he said.
“But keep it protected from those cold winds.”
Japanese acers will still need to be watered regularly, so don’t let the plant or mulch dry out. This means you should try and keep wind exposure to a minimum, as the wind will dry the leaves out quickly, regardless of the temperature. Placing them near a fence or a bigger plant will allow some extra protection from gusts of wind.
Extreme cold weather can cause the plant’s leaves to become scorched. Their vibrant red colour will begin to turn brown, in turn losing its colour. The leaves may also curl, shrivel, and become crispy, which is what Ish warned about.
In severe cases, leaf scorch can lead to premature leaf drop and even dieback of small branches. The Royal Horticultural Society noted that extra care should be taken during late winter and early spring as the seasons’ cold winds – and potential frost – as these can scorch the leaves.
Then, you should be able to leave the plant as is. Pruning can be carried out in late December or in January when there is no leave left on the plant.
Don’t be tempted to prune now as it will stress out the plant. Ish said: “The best thing you want to do is create an amazing environment for it to thrive in, and then let it go dormant, ready for a nice, happy spring.”