Caring For Fresh Winter Greens
Keep Your Holiday Greenery Looking Beautiful All Season
The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the enchanting touch of fresh greenery. From elegant boughs and festive urn inserts to indoor centrepieces and roping, these verdant accents bring nature’s winter magic into our homes. With the right care, you can extend the life and vibrancy of your fresh-cut greens, ensuring they look beautiful and stay fresh throughout the season. Here’s everything you need to know to care for your holiday greenery.
1. Hydration is Key
Just like a Christmas tree, fresh-cut greens thrive on moisture. Whether it’s a wreath, roping, or an urn arrangement, regular watering is essential, especially during the first week after bringing them home. For urns and potted arrangements, keep the soil slightly damp to help the greenery absorb water and stay fresh longer. Mist wreaths and garlands lightly to maintain their moisture and prevent drying out. Outdoor arrangements can be watered weekly until the soil freezes. If displaying greens indoors, keep them moist and limit their stay to a week or less to preserve freshness.
2. Apply a Protective Shield with ‘Wilt Pruf’
To keep your greens vibrant longer, consider giving them a “protective shield.” Products like Wilt Pruf form a barrier that reduces moisture loss, helping greenery retain its freshness even in warm indoor settings. Just spray it on your foliage before arranging it, ideally on a day with mild temperatures. Follow the product instructions for best results. This small step goes a long way in keeping your holiday decor lush and beautiful.
3. Store Indoor Arrangements Cool Until Needed
If you’re not displaying your indoor arrangements right away, store them in a cool place, such as an unheated garage, a covered deck, or even a fridge. This delay keeps the greens fresh until closer to your event or holiday gathering. Once brought inside, place them in a cool spot away from direct sunlight and heat sources like radiators or fireplaces to prevent premature drying.
4. Mind the Elements with Outdoor Arrangements
Outdoor greens enjoy the crisp winter air, but certain elements like rain and sun can impact the look of decorative ribbons or picks that have been dyed or sprayed. Position your urns or other outdoor arrangements in sheltered spots where they can enjoy the cool temperatures without compromising decorative accents. This way, your greenery can maintain its vibrant colour and charm all season long.
5. Recycle and Repurpose
When the season ends, consider recycling your greenery. Many communities offer yard waste recycling programs that convert holiday greens into compost or mulch, which is an environmentally-friendly way to bid farewell to your festive decor. And don’t forget to keep any decorative picks or ribbons for next year—they’re perfect for repurposing!
By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to enjoy the natural beauty and fresh fragrance of holiday greens from the first snow to the new year.
