Wrapping Up Your Garden

This is the time of year when the heat of the summer dies down and you start to think about preparing your garden for winter. When you take the time to put your garden to bed, then spring’s garden is less work. But what steps should you take to get your garden ready for winter’s icy kiss?

First of all, cut back what’s overgrown and dead and clean up your garden debris. This means you’ll need to remove any spent annuals, vegetable plants and fall leaves. This will help to eliminate any diseases or pests that like to over winter in the dead plants and leaves. When you make your garden less inviting, then you have fewer problems come spring.

Second, make notes and take pictures of your gardens. See what worked, what didn't work and see where there are bare spaces. You can make decisions of what you want to plant to fill in the spots. This is also the perfect time of year to plant some shrubs or trees, so give those some thoughts. Since the air is cool but the soil is warm, the shrubs and trees will need less energy. This will let the roots become established before it gets too cold.

Third, cut back your perennials a few inches above the ground. The plants will come back next year because the roots are below ground. You can also divide day lilies and irises, clear through the month of September. You can trade with other gardeners or order some of the daylilies and irises through an online garden store. You will have some gorgeous new colors come spring that will delight your eyes. Also, now is the time to plant spring blooming bulbs. What better way to celebrate spring then with an explosion of color after the snow melts and the cold weather goes away.

Fourth, don’t forget to winterize your containers. Some containers aren't made to be outside all winter and you may want to put them in a shed or garage. Also dump out the dirt and clean and scrub containers that you are planning to use next year. When the containers are all scrubbed, cleaned and ready to go in the spring, you’ll be happy you did. Then all you’ll have to do is put in fresh potting soil, the plant and you’re set.

Fifth, perform a soil test and see if your soil may need amended. If you amend the soil with organic natural compost, manure, blood meal, bone meal or all amendments, they’ll have time to break down over the winter. When spring arrives, then there is food for your plants and they’ll grow healthy and strong.

Sixth, make sure you mulch, mulch, and mulch. When you mulch in the fall it provides a layer of protection over the plants roots. In cold climates, mulch helps to prevent frost heave and it will keep the temperatures of the soil more even and protect the roots even more.

Putting your garden to bed for the winter isn't difficult. What you do now not only will save you time in the spring, but will also save your plants.