Getting your garden ready for winter
Just because you have eaten all the fruits of your labor doesn't mean you can just leave your garden behind and let the winter weather take its toll. You need to take steps to get your garden ready for winter if you want to plant in it again next spring. The best time to prepare your garden for winter is in the fall. Here are some easy ways you can get your garden ready for winter:
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- When the fall hits, most of the flowers will die in preparation for winter. Continue to water your trees and rose bushes. All the plants that are considered "wood" need to have continual water in order to stay healthy. Evergreens are one tree that needs to soak up a lot of water before the ground freezes in order to keep their leaves throughout the winter months.
- Rake up all the leaves that have fallen and place them into a mulch pile. Having a compost pile will help you prepare your garden come spring because you can use it to soften the ground before you plant.
- Transplant any trees and other shrubs to another location. If you have potted flowers, now is the time to bring them inside the home so they won't die during the winter. Place the pots in an area that is close to the sun so they can still receive plenty on sunlight to grow healthy.
- If you want some tasty fruit trees next year, plant them in the fall. Fall is the best time to plant any new trees or shrubs as they soak up all the winter snow and use it to grow new root.
- Use some mesh wire to help smaller trees withstand the snow. Your little fruit trees will survive easier if you can wrap some PVC piping around them. This way their branches won't break off and kill the tree. Wire and mesh guards can also help hold the tree together. Plus, they help keep rodents away from the tree during the winter. The last thing you need is a young deer rubbing his antlers on your new peach tree!
- Wait until the spring to cut your rose bushes. If you cut them back in the fall, they may not grow back as quickly come spring. Always cut the braches off at an angle as this helps the roses to grow back.
- If you want to protect some of your soil, use leaves or some of your compost and spread it all over the soil. This can help it keep its nutrients and it will be easier to work with in the spring.
- Pull out the annuals that have been killed by the front. Make sure you plant your tulips and other flowers that need to germinate during the winter in order to grow healthy in the spring. During the winter, watch this area to make sure it's getting plenty of moisture. As the spring comes, clean out this area so you can watch your tulips start to spring out of the ground.
- Cut down the dead tree limbs and other plants that have burned up. They won't do you any good to break off in the winter; this is just more for you to clean up in the spring.
- If the first snowstorm has been predicted, get out there and clean up your flower beds and your vegetable garden one last time. This will help you get rid of any leaves and weeds that have blown in. The last thing you want is a new tree sprouting right in the middle of your flower bed in the spring!
