As the temperatures stop to drop, and frost starts to form, it is time to prepare your garden for the winter. Without proper precautions, cold temperatures, drying winds, and snow cover can all harm the soil and landscape of a garden.
A few careful steps executed now will reduce the amount of work faced during next year’s spring. Consider some of the following suggestions for preparing your garden for winter:
- Clean up debris – Remove any fallen leaves and other debris from lawns and beds to decrease the potential for overwintering pests and diseases.
- Remove invasive weeds – This will prevent those plants from sprouting all over again and disrupting next year’s crop.
- Amend soil for spring – Adding manure, compost or fertilizers helps break down and enrich the soil to become biologically active. Test your soil for general health updates on pH levels, nutrients, organic matter etc.
- Plant cover crops – These crops help prevent soil erosion and add nutrients to help the soil draw in carbon from the atmosphere
- Prune and mulch perennials with care – Cute back any perennials that are not desired over winter and add an insulating layer of chopped leaves, straw or other mulch around to even out soil temperature.
- Divide and plant bulbs – Plant hardy spring-blooming bulbs such as daffodils and tulips.
- Protect annuals from frost – Extend the life of annuals by utilizing old sheets or floating row covers to cover during light frosts. If your annuals are in containers, move them into a garage or other protected place.
- Clean and sharpen tools – Rejuvenate your tools’ lifespan by giving them some attention. Wash and store seed trays and garden pots, as well as fix any broken equipment, beds and sheds.
- General maintenance to other outdoor living features – Be sure to shut off gas lines to prevent leaks due to winter damage and drain faucets while pouring a little plumbing antifreeze down the drain to avoid the hose from freezing. Don’t forget to bring patio furniture indoors and or use fitted covers to protect it outdoors.
- Reflect and plant – Take some time to make note about your growing season – what varieties did well, what plants struggled, and any pest problems you encountered. Once you have prepared your garden for winter, it is time to step back and admire your clean and winterized garden.