When I first moved to Cantitoe Farm in Bedford, N.Y., about eight years ago, I decided to plant many trees, shrubs and perennial plants to create a beautiful, lasting landscape.

Such planting, whether in a small yard or in a larger environment, represents a serious investment for the homeowner, and several things can be done to offer winter protection — from snow, ice, freezing, thawing, desiccating high winds and harsh sunlight.

Hopefully, these steps will establish longevity and good health for the plants.

I cannot recall where I first got the idea of tailoring coverings for certain types of plants (and even for garden planters), but we have been wrapping and sewing and protecting woody things like boxwood, tree peonies, clematis, azaleas and many types of immature plants for a long time now.

We use several techniques, but with a short, specific list of materials, the tasks can be done quickly and efficiently. We have lots to wrap at the farm, and we are always looking for ways to make the job easier and cheaper.

I have a great group of talented groundskeepers, and each has developed his or her own techniques and methods and improved upon our system, adding flair and even beauty to the winter landscape.

To get started, we spray an antidesiccant oil on the plants in clement weather, which helps keep the leaves from drying in the wind and cold.

Then we wrap various objects around the property, including the long allees and planter beds, before the harshest weather arrives.

We use 8-foot bamboo stakes to make the boxwood tepees, and hardwood stakes for the larger plants and trees.

Farm mechanic and self-taught lumber miller Dominic Arena decided last year to make stakes from some of the boards he was cutting from fallen trees on the property; these hardwood stakes have worked very well as framing material for the burlap we use to protect the apple trees, tree peonies and wisteria.

We use 6-foot-wide burlap for the covering and jute twine for the seams. The resulting covers not only protect the trees, plants and shrubs on the farm, but they add interest and dimension to the grounds in winter.

And the money saved by properly maintaining these cherished gardens is well worth the effort of erecting the protective structures each year.

Wrapping tips

We’ve developed quite a system to efficiently construct the enclosures and barriers around the farm. Here are some tips that can be applied to even the smallest backyard garden.

• Gather the right tools.

We use bamboo poles and wooden stakes, burlap, jute twine, a carpet needle, rubber mallets (for sinking stakes), wood screws and an electric drill.

• Do one task at a time.

The work will go more quickly if you install the entire system of bamboo or wooden stakes first. Then go back to attach the burlap as a second step.

• Reuse and recycle.

We save our burlap, plastic and supports to use from year to year, replacing any worn-out supplies.

• Watch the weather.

Be sure to unwrap everything before the temperature climbs too high in spring, or the plants may be harmed by the excess heat that builds up inside the tents.

• Be selective.

Smaller terra-cotta or ceramic pots can easily be protected indoors. Reserve the wrapping job for large or heavy items that would be difficult to move or store.