How to Prepare Your Garden for Winter

After a season full of bright blooms and tasty homegrown veggies, it can be a little sad to think about the cold weather ahead. But just like we pull out our cozy sweaters and blankets, our gardens need a little help getting tucked in for the winter. We like to think of it as putting the garden to bed for a long, restful sleep.

Taking care of a few simple tasks in the fall is the secret to a happy, healthy garden that’s ready to burst with life next spring. Let's get your garden ready for its winter nap!

Tidying Up the Garden Beds

First things first, let's do a little tidying. A clean garden bed is a healthy one, and clearing out old plants helps prevent pests and diseases from making a home over the winter.

• Annuals and Veggies: It's time to say goodbye to this year's annual flowers and vegetable plants. After you've picked that very last tomato, pull the old plants out completely. You can toss them right onto your compost pile!
• Perennials: For your herbaceous perennials, a little trim can make a big difference for next spring. After the first couple of frosts have knocked them back, you can cut the dead stems down to a few inches above the ground. This simple haircut helps prevent pests and diseases from finding a cozy home in the old foliage over the winter, giving your garden a clean, healthy start next season. Don't worry, their roots are safe and sound underground, dreaming of spring! Some perennials, like coneflowers and sedum, have sturdy stems and pretty seed heads that look lovely in the winter and provide a snack for the birds, so feel free to leave those standing.

As you're cleaning up, you might find some leaves or plants that look a little funky—maybe they're slimy or have spots. It's best to keep those out of your compost. We'll talk about what to do with those in a bit. And don't forget to gather up any trellises or tomato cages, give them a good rinse, and store them away for next year.

A Clean Slate for Spring

Once the old plants are cleared out, take a look at the garden beds. Rake up any fallen leaves and debris. This is also the perfect time to pull any stubborn weeds that have been hanging around. Getting them out now means fewer weeds to deal with in the spring!

Now for the cozy part. Spreading a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch over your garden beds is like putting a warm blanket on the soil. It helps protect your perennial roots from the winter chill, holds in moisture, and even helps prevent new weeds from sprouting. Your garden will look so neat and tidy, and as the mulch breaks down, it will add wonderful nutrients to the soil. Just be sure to leave a little breathing room right around the stems of your plants.



Protecting Your Tender Plants

Some of your plants, like roses or butterfly bushes, might be a little more sensitive to the cold. You can give them some extra winter protection by piling a few extra inches of mulch over their roots. For really cold climates, wrapping them in burlap can help shield them from harsh winds and ice. It’s like giving them a winter coat!

The Magic of Compost

If you don't have a compost pile yet, fall is the perfect time to start one! It's super easy and one of the best things you can do for your garden. Think of it as a recycling center for your yard.

Creating your compost is as easy as layering. Start by alternating your "green" materials (like kitchen scraps and fresh plant trimmings) with your "brown" materials (like dried leaves and small twigs). As you build your layers, give them a little sprinkle of water to keep things moist, but not soggy. Every week or two, you can give the pile a good turn with a pitchfork. This helps mix everything up and speeds up the process. All of that good stuff will break down over the winter, and by next spring, you'll have beautiful, nutrient-rich compost to feed your garden.

What about those diseased plants and stubborn weeds you pulled? It’s best to keep them out of your compost pile, as home compost doesn’t usually get hot enough to destroy weed seeds or plant diseases. The safest bet is to bag them up and put them in your garbage or with your curbside yard waste. This way, you can be sure you're not accidentally reintroducing any problems to your garden next year.

One Last Sweep

You're almost there! Once your garden is all tucked in, take a few minutes to clean and store your tools. Drain your hoses, give your trowels and pruners a good wipe-down, and gather everything together. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that everything will be clean, organized, and ready for you when you get that first itch to get back in the garden next spring.

Now you can sit back, relax with a warm drink, and know that you’ve given your garden the perfect start for a long winter's nap. Sweet dreams, garden.