How to Overwinter Your Bonsai Trees: Preparing Your Trees for Winter

This video is all about winter Bonsai care. I share some basic tips for overwintering Bonsai and the methods that I use to ensure that my trees survive the winter season.
Check out Jason's Channel!
/ @thebonsaigarden
Notion Bonsai Instagram: / notionbonsai
When I first got started Bonsai and heard the term "overwintering", I first thought that it was a complicated process. However, it is simply the term we give to helping trees through the coldness of winter.
Protecting trees from the frost is rather simple! Ideally you can bring the tree indoors and have it in a unheated room like a garage or basement. However for some (like me) this is not always an option. Instead I have decided to build a cold frame to place my trees into. If you are short for space you may also wrap the pots in bubble wrap or get frost blankets to put over your trees to keep them a little warmer.
The larger the pot that a tree is placed into, then generally the better the tree is to withstand the cold. With smaller Bonsai pots, it is definitely a good idea to overwinter them.
It is important that the trees are not brought into a heated room as it may break their dormancy. If this happens they will begin to "wake up" as if it were spring. Over time this can have a negative impact on the health of the tree and you will probably notice it start to decline in health. The goal with overwintering is to have the tree in a cool environment that is not too warm OR cold.
It is good to note that when creating the dormant spray with the lime sulphur, If the solution sits for a few days then the solution will not be as effective as if it were just mixed.
TIMECODES:
00:00 - Intro.
00:21 - What Is Overwintering?
00:45 - Warm Climates.
01:25 - Cold Climates.
02:15 - How To Protect Trees From Frost.
03:12 - Building A Cold Frame.
04:01 - Watering Tips.
05:21 - How Much Light Do They Need?
06:26 - Preparing Trees for The Cold Frame.
08:23 - Lime Sulphur Safety.
08:33 - Making A Dormant Spray With Lime Sulphur.
09:19 - Putting Trees Into The Cold Frame.
09:44 - BONUS! Opening The Package From Jason!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Nice Adam, very useful tips!!

[@mossbackbear]

Hi Nigel, I really appreciate your content on indoor bonsai! I live in the mountains of western Washington and our property lines up about zone 5b, so your PA and crassula videos have been a godsend for the winter months. You've even inspired me to start using heat and humidity in my greenhouse to shoot for a banyan style microcarpa. Thanks for your contributions to the community.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

@@mossbackbear Awesome, nice to hear and thank you very much!

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks for watching Nigel 😊 Wish I had greenhouses as big as yours for overwintering!

[@zbarcalab4390]

Seeing as the pot has waves on it, perhaps you could plant a tiny coastal tree like a scots pine or perhaps a japanese larch

[@notionbonsai]

I like this idea! Thanks for the suggestion!! 😊

[@thenaturecreater8906]

Great video Adam 😀

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks very much 🙂

[@blairmarriott3737]

Good idea spraying them before winter . I stay in a area that can go down to minus 25 in a semi mountainous area in Bulgaria so I put my bonsai in a summer kitchen in the garden and open the doors through the day to let air flow and close them at night. Keeping fresh air flow when I can if it's not too cold

[@notionbonsai]

Oh wow -25 is colddd! That's a good idea! Fresh air will stop fungus from forming 😄 Thanks very much for watching Blair!

[@ArkansasBikernet]

Another great and USEFUL video Adam. I'm always anxious to watch your videos because of your presentation, your information and the quality of the video. It's like you are a combination of Nigel Saunders, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Harry Potter all in one person. THANK YOU for such great content.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

😂

[@mossbackbear]

Interesting take. I think he's got more of Neville's green thumb, though. Next week on Notion... styling a gillyweed forest!

[@notionbonsai]

Well that is a first 😂 Thanks very much Wally!

[@notionbonsai]

@@mossbackbear 😂😂😂😂

[@gabronijabroni]

I have tons of those shelf grids and never thought of putting them under my maple pots! Such a good idea!

[@magila1983]

Nice video! Since the pot is based on the Kanagawa wave, you could put another japanese icon in there: a Fuji cherry. Would look lovely in spring/sakura time.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

That would be a fantastic idea and also complement the white colour in the pot.

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Magila! Oooh thats a neat idea! Would suit the slim trunk dainty look! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@mandyhernon2238]

Ah a beautiful pot, a blue wisteria would suit it. I have weeded and inspected my trees but not sprayed as yet. Sheltered my young jbps a lemon and an azalea by putting in greenhouse, if it gets below zero for 3/4 day my other trees will jo8n them. Great content,,,,keep growing.xx

[@notionbonsai]

Hi Mandy! Oooh it really would! Thanks for this suggestion! I've got a few little black pines myself that may feature on a video soon! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@joegarland4885]

Great video Adam very useful tips, I bought a couple of years ago similar store to yours but I got a cupboard style for my smaller trees. I love your new pot. All the best Adam with your bonsai.

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thanks Joe! 😊 Ohh nice! A big shelved upright cupboard would be nice for overwintering!

[@joegarland4885]

@@notionbonsai Hi Adam, I also have a greenhouse so am well covered, I have about 80 full trees, best way to describe them as trees are never finished as I am sure you know. I now live with my younger son In Nottingham having sold my house in Coventry so I have my own bonsai garden. My wife passed away in 2017 so felt I didn’t need to be on my own so came here in 2018 to live. At the moment I am having a grandad flat built in part of the garden so m looking forward to that in the new year. I am 80 years young and still enjoying bonsai which I have been involved with for 30 odd years when work allowed. Enjoy your bonsai I will look forward to your videos when you upload them. All the best Joe.

[@MartinBBB]

Hi Adam. Another excellent video. Very informative and full of useful tips as always. I really like the fact that you generally work on smaller, less expensive material, thereby proving you don't need a big budget to have a lot of enjoyment from bonsai. Keep it up!

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Martin! 😊 Bonsai doesn't have to be expensive. There will be lots more videos to come!

[@gayefanner731]

Great video Adam. At last a fellow advocate of cold frames! I’ve always found them invaluable for overwintering all manner of plants n for drainage racks: oven or fridge shelves! God bless all your endeavours 🙏✝️ ✌️🇷🇺☮️🇺🇦✌️

[@notionbonsai]

@gayefanner731 If they work, they work! Ideally I'd love a great big greenhouse someday haha! Oven shelves is a good idea! Thanks Gaye! 😀

[@mossbackbear]

Very useful video, Adam. There are surprisingly few overwinterimg videos out there and this stands up with the best of them. Heck, you even got Nigel's attention. And he's got snow in like, 80% of his videos. Haha. Keep it up! By the way, after your last video, I was inspired to go buy another garden center Alberta and lucked out with a 18 inch twin trunk for 10 bucks. Can't wait to style it!

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you 🙂 Aw nice thats awesome! Let me know how you get on with it!!

[@susanbigler3014]

I was considering a structure to use here in AZ, and this has given me an idea. This seems enough for the few nights our temps drop, and easy to collapse and store during summer. Thank you! Another great video!😊

[@notionbonsai]

Ooh nice! Are you gonna build a cold frame? Thanks Susan 😊

[@susanbigler3014]

Yes,, I've been looking this morning to see what stores in the area carry one like you showed this morning. Thank you 😊

[@susanbigler3014]

By the way, I love that Nigel is following you. That says a lot about your work, your knowledge, etc... just my opinion 🤗

[@notionbonsai]

@@susanbigler3014 I love Nigel's videos also! His Serissa is my favourite one of his!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Really good video and the pot looks pretty good too. I also find for overwintering just getting the trees on the ground by the fenceline and buddy them up together in groups - but not on concrete if you can help it. Unfortunately once your hobby overtakes the size of your freespace this can become a bit of any issue :)

[@notionbonsai]

Hi Xavier! 😊Thanks very much for that tip! I'm resisting the urge to keep buying more trees 😂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

@@notionbonsai Yeah - like I believe that!!

[@judlpd]

Impressed with your video production/editing. Guess that’s your ‘day job’? Cheers, Richard.

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thanks Richard 😀

[@Bigninjon]

Gratz on the win! Nice pot

[@notionbonsai]

So excited to get a tree into it! 🌲Thanks very much for watching Jon! 😄

[@michaelcook9206]

Very informative video....a lot of useful information in just 12 minutes. Thank you and much success to you!

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you very much Michael 🙂

[@Matt6644]

Here I am putting trees in the fridge over winter :D. Cherry or red maple would go nice in that pot.

[@notionbonsai]

In the fridge!? Never heard of anyone doing that before 😲I can see why though! Thanks for the suggestion Matt!

[@TheYurisam]

Very cool video. You’re knowledge is impressive young bonsai master. Keep up the great content. 👍👍👍

[@harrychristodoulou3782]

Hey Adam what a great video with lots of tips for looking after our bonsai trees in the winter, it was a very technical video well done. Keep up the great videos and take care. 👌🏼👍🏼👌🏼

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you 😊 Lots more videos to come!

[@user-qy9nf5hb3u]

Adam, I stumbled across your video while searching for cold frame instruction to overwinter my outdoor Bonsai. I have been primarily an indoor enthusiast till very recently. EXCELLENT video!, presentation, information, and genuine approach was marvelous. Can't wait to watch more of your content. Take Care & God Bless!

[@notionbonsai]

Hey! Aw nice Ralph! Thank you for your kind words 🤗

[@ricokrisnawanofficial9354]

Thank you for the explanation brother, ... Very useful 🙏🙏🙏

[@notionbonsai]

Hey no problem! Thank you so much for watching 😃

[@Laura-oe9cd]

Loving your videos! I'm a total beginner and your approach to explaining everything is so amazing!

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thanks you very much Laura 😄

[@michaelmott7402]

Adam another great video and very informative. That pot is a beautiful piece of art and I was watching when you were picked for it congratulations. A nice black pine or even a wisteria would look nice in that pot whatever you choose I’m sure you will make it proud.

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you Michael 🙂 Thanks for the great suggestion!

[@bonsaitime621]

Great video!

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Bonsai Time 😄

[@mattbrennan647]

I agree, Jason makes awesome videos and his garden is like Eden. I was lucky enough to win one of his books. That pot is beautiful. Participating in the KZbin bonsai community is extremely satisfying. It’s a wonderful community to be a part of.

[@notionbonsai]

Hey Matt! 👋 True that! I'm very grateful for the community here 😄

[@TonysBonsai]

Really good informative video mate, and that pot is a beauty!

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks very much Tony! 😊 I can't wait to get a tree into it! 😍

[@TonysBonsai]

Has to be a Japanese tree!

[@Kwood10]

Hi 👋🏻 great video I need to get one of those as I was looking at some of my bonsais today & weren’t looking too good in the cold 🥶 weather.

[@notionbonsai]

Hi! Thanks K Wood 😃 Yeah winter can be the time that a few of your trees can die. Let me know if you find one!

[@Kristinbonz4045]

Thanks!

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you so much for the support Kristin! 🌳❤️😀

[@timdady4660]

lovely pot, just about to start my winter wash this week end.

[@notionbonsai]

Ohh nice! Thanks so much for watching Tim 😃

[@itsjonathanwade]

Maybe a weeping plant would do nicely in that pot! Mimic the waves.

[@notionbonsai]

Great suggestion Jonathan! 😁

[@mattbrennan647]

Great informative video. I really enjoy learning the different approaches of winter protection. Here in Connecticut winters can be quite severe. It seems that, like home made bonsai soil, everyone sorts out what works best for them. Videos like yours are always interesting and appreciated. Thanks, keep growing

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Matt! Ohh makes sense! Do you add more compost/organic material to act as an insulator?

[@mattbrennan647]

@@notionbonsai .. in preparation for our annual “ice age” I place them on rigid insulation. I pack mulch around each pot and tuck them tightly together. Finally I encircle the perimeter with burlap zip tied onto stakes. Lastly when it snows I cover everything with light fluffy snow as an insulator.

[@notionbonsai]

@@mattbrennan647 Ah very nice!! I have heard snow is a good insulator!

[@scotthogbin613]

Well who's a lucky boy winning that lovely pot, well deserved I'm sure Adam and it wll be nice to see what species you decide to plant into it. Maybe a tree that grows in coastal areas would suit the theme of the pot.

[@notionbonsai]

I am very lucky indeed! Very grateful to Jason for sending it 😀 That's a neat idea! Thanks for the suggestion Scott!

[@yasarsoylu8117]

liked for the beautiful hair + for the video

[@notionbonsai]

Aw thank you so much! ☺️

[@33eyeman]

Yep

[@notionbonsai]

😀

[@johnstarkey4959]

Hi Adam, nice informative video, just a point on the lime sulphur, should you not be covering the soil while spraying the tree ?

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thanks John! I would advise covering your Bonsai pots with newspaper or a wet towel to protect them from it as it may stain the pots. A little lime sulphur on the soil is fine but you dont want too much there!

[@bhilipe8154]

I imagine that a chaenomeles japonica with its red flowers would contrast well with the colors of the pot. br

[@notionbonsai]

Oooo nice! Thanks so much for the suggestion 😃 You know your color theory! Blue and red complimentary! 🟦🟥

[@j11ama]

Great video! How often are you watering over the winter? I basically killed most of my trees last winter.

[@notionbonsai]

Generally trees require less frequent watering during winter compared to the growing season. Balance between keeping the soil moist enough to prevent drying out and avoiding excessive moisture that can lead to root rot. If the soil feels dry to the touch, it's a good indication that it is time to water. If its wet and squishy.. skip watering until it dries a little. (But never let it fully dry out)🙂

[@666cowboy.]

Where did you buy the box from?

[@AdefBsOfficial]

I am like bonsai from Indonesian 🇮🇩

[@notionbonsai]

😄

[@turkishdelight7083]

That pot is a beauty. Where do you get the Lime Sulphur? It might be banned in the EU, might try to get it smuggled accross the border :D

[@notionbonsai]

I get it on ebay 😀

[@dahlmasen3084]

So… if one gets down to around -25°C in the winters like here in Sweden? And I don’t really have anywhere cold but indoors to put my trees… I have a greenhouse of sorts but it still gets really cold in there if it is below -15° for several days

[@notionbonsai]

Hey! If your greenhouse doesn't handle temperatures below -15°C well, consider adding insulation like bubble wrap or straw bales. Group trees for warmth and add mulch for root insulation. You could also consider heating the greenhouse to get it to a warmer temp

[@yk1997aac]

I'm a little confused because you mentioned the corner in which you placed the cold frame gets a good amount of sunlight. Shouldn't you try to avoid getting your trees into sunlight while they are dormant, even more if they are placed in something similar to a greenhouse? I would've thought this might make your trees think its spring already and kill them eventually if the following weeks are still really cold.

[@notionbonsai]

Great question! That area gets a good bit of sun during the summer. Now that the days are shorter it doesn't get as much sun so they will be okay 😃 This is why I got one with a lid. If the days are above freezing I can keep the lid open to keep it cooler. Then on days where it gets too cold i can close the lid so they don't get too cold. It won't get warm enough in the cold frame to break their dormancy!

[@yk1997aac]

@@notionbonsai That makes sense, thank you :D

[@danhip2442]

hello. Can you tell me what to do with a pine tree that has received a severe burn?

[@notionbonsai]

Hey Dan! Sorry to hear this about your Pine! Do you mean frost burn? When a pine tree suffers frost damage you want to act asap! Prune damaged and dead branches. Cut back to healthy tissue, leaving no stubs or torn edges. Provide proper care, including adequate watering, to help the tree recover. You can also add a layer of mulch around the tree to regulate soil temperature and moisture. I would avoid fertilizing until the tree shows signs of recovery, as fertilizing might stress the tree further. Then you want to prevent the cause in the first place so it is good to get the tree to a place that it is not too cold so it wont get frost burned.

[@gayefanner731]

Hi Adam, is it too late to wish you a happy New Year?! I’m thinking it MUST be about time for a new vid from you?! Last I heard was a dragon fruit and I can’t suss out how to msg by Facebook !! Anyway God bless you 🙏✝️ ✌️🇷🇺☮️🇺🇦✌️

[@notionbonsai]

Hey! No not too late! Happy new year to you too! 🙂 🌳There will be lots more videos on the way come spring!

[@salieghadams1838]

Hello… any new vids ?

[@notionbonsai]

There's one on the snow coming soon! 😀

[@salieghadams1838]

@@notionbonsai whoop whoop cannot wait.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

First 😊

[@notionbonsai]

Hi Jason! 😊

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

@@notionbonsai that’s a nice pot - I gotta get me one of those 😊😂😂 More seriously, this one came from a seller Noya Designs on Etsy, and is based out of Izmir in Turkey.

[@notionbonsai]

@TheBonsaiGarden Are you going to get another one? 😀

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

@@notionbonsai I definitely want to order it but need to wait just in case I got one bought as a Christmas present.🎄🎁😊

[@TheBonsaiZone]

A very nice gift!!

[@gayefanner731]

Hi Adam, please find my comment inserted in MartinBBB section 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@notionbonsai]

Found it!

[@carlmcclain6934]

Great video! I’m new to,the art of bonsai and was worried about how,to,over winter my trees. I have several tropical varieties so,I,assume they will have to be stored inside my house, or at least in my garage, which is u heated.

[@notionbonsai]

Great idea! Just make sure they dont get too warm and wake up 🤗