Prep Your Garden for Winter

by Brittany Ketcham
Autumn weather usually means sweaters, bonfires, s'mores and gorgeous fall colors, but it also means it’s time to prep your garden for winter!

For this tip we are going to focus on raised garden beds. This is a great time to assess your raised beds and plan what you’re going to plant for spring and where.

Here is a list of some of the tasks that will need to be done.

  • Pull weeds and remove diseased and decaying plants -- you can leave the seeds if you want the same plants to grow next year. Rotting vegetables and plant material attracts pests, but dry stems, leaves and small branches will provide winter protection for small animals and beneficial insects.
  • Feed your soil.
  • Apply a thick layer of mulch, compost, straw, hay, etc., whichever you prefer -- this will help to protect your perennial plants, as well as keep weeds from taking over.
  • Plant cover crops if you want to have something nice to look at over fall and winter instead of heavily mulched beds.
  • Remove any plant stakes, supports, posts, shade clothes, pots, gardening tools. Make sure to store these items so they do not get ruined by fall and winter weather.
  • Plant any plants that will grow over winter such as garlic.
  • Check your raised beds for any damage and fix accordingly.
  • Start your seeds indoors for spring! Always the best part of gardening!
Most of these tasks also apply to your favorite flowers and plants, wherever they are growing. Autumn is also a great time to plant fall bulbs such as tulips and daffodils.

Resource
https://savvygardening.com/preparing-raised-beds-for-winter/
Graphic by Brittany Ketcham


prep garden for winter




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