With the changing of the seasons, so does the need for being prepared for the conditions and temperatures to come for your garden. Winter is probably the most important of the seasons for your garden to be ready for. So, let’s go over some keys to ‘winterizing’ your garden.
Weed and clean up your garden
Your garden should be as weed free as possible regardless of the season, but it’s particularly important prior to the onset of winter. Weeds, invasive plants
and other dead or sick plants provide the perfect cover for insects to lay their eggs and survive the winter. Chop, cut and clip spent stalks and branches. Furthermore, keep the soil aerated to create a nice fresh layer when spring arrives. Doing these odd jobs before winter sets in will free up your time when spring arrives to plant new things in your outdoor sanctuary.
Protective Layering
Many plants will need cover from the extreme conditions of winter. Tarps or garden fabrics are best for bushes and foliage to protect from frost, and it will also effectively insulate your soil and vegetables.
Creating a windbreak for exposed evergreens is also strongly suggested. Erecting a 3- stake V-formation around plants and trees you want protected (you don’t need to totally enclose the plant with a four-sided structure) will go a long way to helping that treasured plant survive the brutal winter cold.
Water Features
Check that the water pump in these fun little garden focal points will survive the winter cold. If not, remove them before the winter really sets in.
Find and Store Bulbs
It may be time to find
bulbs
for some plants and flowers that may have gotten crowded throughout the year and can be replanted in the spring. Be careful seeking them out in the soil. Lift them out gently, separate the bulbs and take them to a more warm location in your garden.
So there you have it. A few small chores prior to winter will go a long way to save your much-loved plants, even in the most brutal winter.