5 Steps to Winterize Your Garden

Taking steps to prepare your garden for next year’s gardening season is important no matter where you live. The cold can be harsh on a garden, but there are ways to prepare. Caring for your equipment and nurturing the soil prevent major problems. Taking these steps will help your plants grow better in the spring and summer.

1. Clean out the weeds.

Weeding your garden is never fun, but it needs to be done. If you’ve noticed an infested plant with bugs or a plant that didn’t grow well, it is important to remove it. You don’t want those plants to continue taking over your garden. Weeding in the fall is much easier because the roots are easier to see and pull out.

2. Create a protective layer.

Covering your garden with an organic layer is one of the best practices in winterizing your garden. This insulates the soil and root vegetables to keep them safe and healthy. The three best varieties to use to layer are compost, mulch, and leaves.

3. Plant your bulbs.

While this is not part of “cleaning-up,” it is still important to get done before the ground freezes. If you wait, the ground gets too hard and you won’t be able to get the hole deep enough. The hole needs to be several inches deep so it has good protection over winter and will bloom in the spring.

4. Dig up delicate plants.

Digging delicate plants up is important to keep them alive through the winter. Make sure you research the storage recommendation for each plant. Most of the time, you’ll want to place them in a dark, cool location. Keeping them alive through the winter can be a bit of a gamble, but it doesn’t hurt to try. If they make it, you can replant them in the spring.

5. Store your gardening tools.

It is important to keep your tools functioning and in good condition. Hang gardening hoses and sprinklers in a dry place if you live in an area that reaches freezing temperatures often. It allows all the water to escape so the hose doesn’t get damaged.

Most likely, you’ve spent a lot of time, energy, and money on your garden, so it is important to protect it. Save yourself some effort in the long run this spring and take these five simple steps.