The clocks are turned back. The leaves are falling. The air is brisk and getting brisker.
And with the change in seasons comes the change in your garden. Many trees and plants lose their luster this time of year (unless you plant some of these trees that still wow with color in winter.)
To help dormant plants come back with gusto in spring, they’ll need special care to maximize their spring bloom.
See how to prepare your flower beds for winter to enjoy a clean slate in spring. You’ll be so glad you took the time to do this after a long winter!
Getting your garden ready for winter is an essential task for any gardener. Properly preparing your beds for the colder months ahead will ensure your plants are protected and your soil stays healthy. In this article, we’ll provide tips on how to winterize your garden beds so they’re ready to flourish again in spring.
Remove Dead Annual Plants
The first step is clearing out any dead or dying annual plants. Pull up spent vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, beans, etc. along with annual flowers. Removing this old vegetation helps prevent overwintering pests and disease.
For perennials like herbs or hardy greens, trim back the dead growth but leave the roots/crowns intact. They’ll resprout next spring. Exceptions are perennials prone to fungal issues which should be cut to the ground after a hard frost.
Harvest and Store Any Remaining Crops
Harvest winter squash, carrots, potatoes and other crops that can be stored. Discard any damaged or diseased produce, as rotting produce can harbor pests. Cure onions, garlic and potatoes in a dark, well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks before long-term storage.
Root crops like carrots and beets can be mulched and left in the garden for late fall harvesting, Just dig them before the ground freezes solid
Remove Plant Supports and Trellises
Take out any stakes, cages, trellises and irrigation supplies. Clean and store them properly to avoid damage over winter. Removing supports prevents wind damage and makes spring cleanup easier.
Add Nutrients and Organic Matter
Replenish nutrients removed by plants during the growing season. Spread 2-3 inches of finished compost, rotted manure, leaves or other organic materials over garden beds. You can also plant cover crops like clover or rye in fall. Both will improve soil structure and fertility.
Mulch Beds for Insulation
Add a 2-4 inch layer of shredded leaves, straw, wood chips or other mulch on top of beds. Mulching insulates plant roots, prevents soil erosion and suppresses weeds. For perennials, keep mulch a few inches away from the crown to prevent rot.
Plant Garlic and Other Overwintering Crops
Fall is the ideal time to plant garlic and certain hardy greens that can withstand winter temps. Examples: kale, spinach, onions, leeks, etc. Make sure to provide row cover or cold frames if your winters are harsh.
Protect Trees, Shrubs and Roses
For woody plants, avoid late season pruning that can stimulate new growth before dormancy. Hill soil or mulch around the base of trees and shrubs to insulate roots. Plant tender roses below the graft union and mound soil over the buds.
Rid Gardens of Lingering Weeds
Weeds left unchecked can gain a foothold and quickly take over beds in spring. Remove roots of perennial weeds. Spot treat any remaining weeds with an eco-friendly herbicide. Lay down landscape fabric, cardboard or mulch to smother future weeds.
Apply Organic Pest Control Measures
Remove disease/pest infested plants and debris, which can harbor overwintering insects. Turn over soil to expose pests to cold temps and predators. Apply beneficial nematodes for pest grubs. Trap slugs and snails before going dormant in beds.
Check for Damage and Make Repairs
Inspect garden beds and borders for any issues. Repair damaged raised beds, replace rotted wood, and reinforce edges of beds to prevent soil erosion. Also fill in any rodent holes and tunnels under planting areas.
Consider Installing Season Extenders
Cold frames, hoop tunnels and other season extending structures allow you to grow crops longer into winter. Have materials on hand so covers can be quickly installed over beds when needed before hard frosts.
Prepare Soil for Next Season
Beyond fertilizing and mulching, consider mixing in soil amendments like composted manure to improve drainage and nutrient levels in compacted or poor soils. Install fences around beds to keep pets from digging up newly prepared soil.
Store Away Garden Tools and Supplies
Clean, sharpen, and lubricate tools before storage to prevent rusting. Drain and store hoses and irrigation supplies. Store unused seeds in a cool, dark place for best viability. Safely store away fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals.
Save Seeds from Heirloom Crops
Saving seeds from open-pollinated vegetables and flowers allows you to grow the same heirloom varieties year after year. Let plants dry on the stalk, then collect and properly dry seeds from your healthiest specimens.
Plant Cover Crops for Soil Health
Non-hardy cover crops like oats, clover and legumes add valuable organic matter and trap nutrients when tilled under in spring. Winter rye and other hardy covers will keep growing for erosion control and moisture retention.
Take Notes to Plan for Next Year
Review what worked and what didn’t in your garden. Make notes on varieties you want to grow again, problem plants you’ll avoid, and any changes to layouts or techniques you’ll try. These notes will be invaluable when planning next season’s garden beds.
Prepping your garden properly in fall is time well spent. Following these tips will set your garden up for success next growing season. And you’ll be ready to hit the ground running once spring planting time rolls around again.
How to Prepare Garden Beds for Winter
Before you jump in–trowel in tow–check if the first frost has arrived in your area.
- Remove spent annual flowers. Annual flowers, as their name infers, die annually and don’t regrow. Bugs and diseases like to use the debris from dead annuals as hiding places until the spring. To lower the chances of that happening, pull the dead flowers out of your garden.
- Trim perennials and rose bushes. While you’re at it, remove any dead or diseased rose stems, and cut back spent perennials. Since perennials are plants that stay alive through dormant seasons, trim them about two inches above the soil and keep the roots in the ground to regrow in the spring.
- Weed your garden bed. If you haven’t experienced your first frost yet, pull out any weeds and debris. This takes away any hiding spots for insects and diseases and will remove many potential weed seeds.
- Add organic matter on top of your flower bed. This helps retain moisture and add nutrients to the soil. And it’s super easy to do! It can be as easy as sprinkling fallen leaves for your yard. Otherwise, use a layer of compost under a layer of mulch, about an inch of each. If you’re feeling ambitious and want to alleviate some soil compaction, mix compost into the soil, which will also help nutrients get to the soil faster.
- Plant spring-blooming bulbs, such as daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths. Even if you’ve had the first frost, you can still plant spring bulbs as long as the ground isn’t frozen. All you need is a spot with six hours of daily sunlight and fast-drying soil.
- On the flip side, dig up the more tender bulbs, such as cannas, dahlias, gladiolus, and calla lilies. Tender bulbs are plants with a soft, underground storage structure. These types of bulbs are easily kept year-to-year if you wait until the plants above the ground die to dig them up.
- Protect more sensitive plants like perennials and shrubs. You can add an extra layer of mulch over roots or wrap certain flowers such as hydrangeas and roses, in burlap to prevent the damage that comes with freezing and thawing.
How To Prepare Raised Garden Beds for Winter
- Reflect on what worked and didn’t work. During the fall, write down or draw out your current garden plan.
- Remove weed seeds or any diseased plants (roots included!) to avoid issues next year.
- Add organic matter. Like traditional garden beds, planting cover crops, like clover, winter wheat, or winter rye, and adding a bit of mulch will invigorate the soil with nutrients. Straw is used in place of wood mulch in a raised garden bed.
The Complete Guide to Preparing Raised Beds for Winter
FAQ
How should I prepare my garden for winter?
- Say Goodbye to Spent Plants. Gather every last one of your juicy tomatoes and zesty peppers before the first frost, and harvest any late-fall crops, like kale and carrots, before the ground freezes. …
- Spruce Up the Garden Floor. …
- Weed & Mulch. …
- Protect Delicate Shrubs. …
- Build a Compost Pile—and a Weed Pile.
How to prepare soil for next year gardening?
Preparing good soil is often as simple as adding organic matter, mulching it, and letting it live free of compaction and unnecessary disturbance. If you follow these tips, you’ll keep your soil microbes and earthworms happy, and overtime, they’ll create a rich garden for all of your plants to enjoy!