As Fall comes to an end and the Winter chill is quickly approaching, it is time to prepare your outdoor garden for those brutal chilly months that are ahead of us. In this blog post we will show you how to winterize your garden the right way so that your garden thrives this year. Whether you are looking for how to winterize your yard or just want to winterize your plants in pots, then this post is for you.
I was definitely someone who didn’t even think about the impact the cold winter temperatures would have on my plants. I thought that my plants would just adapt to the cold climate and bloom in the Spring like nothing ever happened, I quickly realized that was not the case with someone of my plants. So I began to research ways to winterize my garden so that I can protect my plants and I am here to share those tips with you.
In this blog post we will show you how to winterize your garden from the cold and why it is important to winterize your garden. Here are ten easy steps that you can do in your small garden to keep it thriving and happy! Happy gardening!
This blog post is all about how to winterize your garden.
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Should I cover raised beds in Winter?
In the Winter months you should cover your raised garden beds to help prevent the roots from becoming damaged from the cold. Add a protective layer to your garden bed will ensure that your plants, soil, and garden stay healthy and ready to bloom when the Spring comes.
Best Garden Bed Cover For the Winter
How to winterize your garden
Now let’s explore our 10 steps to making sure your garden is ready for the Winter months.
1. Clean Up Your Garden
Cleaning up your garden will help keep your plants from being harmed in the cold Winter months. You can start by removing any weeds, dead leaves, and any debris from your garden beds and your yard. Take this time to remove any plants that you know will not come back in the spring (such as annuals).
2. Prune and Trim Your Plants
While you are in your yard cleaning your garden beds, be sure to take your pruning shears and cut off any dead parts of your plant. Trimming and pruning your plants will ensure that when your plants do start to grow again in the spring that the shape of your plants will be in tact.
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3. Prepare Your Soil
An important step in preparing your garden fro the Winter is making sure that your soil is healthy for the winter months. You can easily do this by adding compost or manure to your soil to give your plants the extra nutrients they will need to survive the cold.
CHECK OUT THESE GARDEN COMPOST DO AND DONT’S
4. Mulch Your Garden Beds
It is important that you make sure your garden bed’s roots are protected before the first freeze (below 32 degrees). To do this, you can add a thick layer of mulched leaves, hay, straw, or compost on the base of your larger plants and perennials. The mulch will keep the garden bed warmer and help retain water they need to survive.
5. Protect Delicate Plants From Snow
Be sure to cover and protect any delicate plants like your perennials before snowfall or the first freeze. You can cover them in burlap for a quick solution or buy plant covers to keep them safe.
BEST PLANT COVERS FOR THE WINTER:
WHAT PLANTS NEED TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE COLD:
- POTTED PLANTS
- EVERGREEN SHRUBS
- BOXWOODS
- NEWLY PLANTED TREES (1 YEAR OR LESS)
6. Watering the Garden
Although it seems unnecessary, watering your plants before the Winter is an important step for keeping your garden alive year round. Before the first freeze (32-36 degrees), make sure to water your plants at least once a week so that they are hydrated and can save enough water for the cold.
TIP: Don’t forget to shut your sprinklers and cover your garden hose!
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7. Don’t Forget Your Potted Plants
If you have any plants in containers or pots they need to be protected from the cold too! If you can, try to move them to a sheltered area to keep them protected from the cold.
We suggest moving them into a shed or garage or even planting them in the ground to stay warmer. We put our potted plants behind the shed so they aren’t affected by the wind as much. Don’t forget to mulch these plants too!
8. Check Garden Structures
Be sure to bring in any delicate trellises, garden swings, or garden benches that probably won’t make it through the winter. We had a wooden garden swing we did not bring in and it was destroyed from the cold temperatures. Take this time to add extra support to the plants or garden structures that will be staying outdoors.
9. Monitor and Prevent Pest Infestations
As you are inspecting your backyard, be sure to look for any signs of pests in your garden and damage from pests. Some insects can lay eggs in your soil during the winter and that can be life threatening to the plants growth in the spring. This is crucial especially in your vegetable garden!
10. Plan Ahead For The Spring
Now that your plants are ready to withstand the cold temperature. Use the downtime in the Winter to look up what plants will thrive in your garden and plan for new plants. We always write down what plants did well and what the conditions were like in that area so we know what to buy next year!
GET A PLANT JOURNAL FROM AMAZON:
This blog post was all about winterize your garden.
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