Preparing your garden for winter helps ensure that plants, soil, and garden tools are in good condition for the next growing season. Here’s a comprehensive guide:

1. Clean Up the Garden

• Remove Dead Plants: Pull out any dead annuals and vegetables. This prevents pests and diseases from overwintering.
• Prune Perennials: Cut back perennials to about 6 inches above the ground, but leave some stems for overwintering insects or wildlife if desired.
• Clear Fallen Leaves: Rake and remove leaves from the lawn and paths, but consider mulching them into garden beds or composting.

2. Protect Your Soil

• Add Mulch: Spread a layer of mulch (straw, wood chips, or leaves) over flower beds and vegetable plots to insulate the soil and prevent erosion.
• Plant Cover Crops: Consider sowing cover crops like clover or rye in vegetable gardens to enrich the soil and reduce weed growth.
• Compost: Add a layer of compost or well-rotted manure to nourish the soil over the winter.

3. Protect Perennials and Bulbs

• Insulate Tender Plants: Wrap burlap or use plant covers for less hardy perennials.
• Lift and Store Bulbs: Dig up non-hardy bulbs (like dahlias and gladiolus) and store them in a cool, dry place.

4. Prune Trees and Shrubs

• Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches to prevent them from breaking under snow or ice.
• Avoid pruning spring-blooming shrubs like lilacs in the fall to preserve next season’s blooms.

5. Prepare Vegetable and Herb Gardens

• Harvest remaining vegetables and herbs before the first frost.
• Clear plant debris and add it to the compost pile unless it’s diseased.
• Clean and organize garden tools, pots, and stakes.

6. Protect Equipment and Infrastructure

• Drain irrigation systems and hoses to prevent freezing and cracking.
• Store hoses, tools, and garden decorations indoors or in a shed.
• Sharpen and oil tools to prevent rust during the off-season.

7. Encourage Wildlife

• Leave seed heads on some flowers (like sunflowers) for birds.
• Create a brush pile or leave hollow stems for overwintering insects.
• Set up a bird feeder and birdbath with fresh water.

8. Plan Ahead for Spring

• Test soil pH and nutrient levels, then adjust as needed with lime or sulfur.
• Sketch out your garden plan for the next growing season.
• Order seeds and bulbs in advance if needed.

By taking these steps, your garden will be ready to weather the cold months and bounce back beautifully in the spring! Let me know if you’d like more specific advice.

In this video we show why it’s worthwhile completing your garden maintenance before winter sets in, and demonstrate a wide variety of tasks, explaining the benefits each will provide for your garden next year.