Winter can be a devastating season for gardens, but it doesn't have to be. Proper preparation can protect your plants, soil and tools, ensuring a healthy and productive garden come spring. All it takes is a little bit of preparation and guidance and you can help your garden survive every winter from this point on. This step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know and do to get your garden ready for the colder months - so let's get started learning how to prep your garden for winter.
- Clean Up Dead Plants and Debris
First things first, it's time to clean up a little bit. To keep your garden healthy, you'll want to remove any dead plants and debris. Clear out dead annuals, vegetables and fallen fruits to prevent pests and diseases. Similarly, it's important to dispose of any diseased plants that can potentially kill your surviving plants or spread disease to them. You can compost the remaining plant material - this includes weeds without seeds, grass clippings and fallen leaves. Finally, you'll also want to remove any garden tools and store them for winter so they do not rust or break.
- Mulch Garden Beds
Next, you'll want to start mulching! Protect your soil by applying a thick layer of mulch (2-4 inches) to each garden bed. You can use materials like straw, wood chips or shredded leaves. There are many reasons to do this, but most importantly mulching helps to insulate plant roots from freezing temperatures and retain moisture during the dry winter months. It also prevents soil erosion, keeping your garden in shape and intact. Be sure to leave a little bit of mulch around plant stems - otherwise they can create rot and potentially kill your plants.
- Prune Perennials and Shrubs
Next up, it's time to prune! Prune dead or damaged branches from perennials and shrubs and cut back perennials that die back to the ground like hostas and daylilies. Be sure to leave seed heads if you intend to provide food for wildlife or create some winter interest. The one exception is to hold off on pruning spring-flowering shrubs, as you'll want to wait until after they bloom - otherwise, you risk cutting off next season's flowers.
- Protect Sensitive Plants
For extra-sensitive plants, cover them with frost blankets or burlap to protect them from frost with a breathable covering. You can also mulch around their roots for extra protection. You'll also want to move container plants indoors, as they won't survive freezing temperatures.
- Prepare Your Soil for Winter
Finally, you'll want to get your soil ready for the winter. Fall is a great time to test soil and add amendments like compost or manure. Spread a layer of compost over garden beds to enrich the soil for next spring and cover crops to prevent erosion and improve soil health. You can also till or turn the soil to break up compaction before winter.
This winter, don't risk your plants' survival - prepare your garden beds for the wintertime. To make winter survival even easier, consider elevated gardens from Frame It All and create dedicated layers of soil with composite boundaries that won't rot or biodegrade. And be sure to read Frame It All's helpful blog for more winter tips.