Winter-Ready Gardens: Essential Tasks Before the Freeze

As November brings the chill of late autumn, it’s time to prepare your garden for the coming winter. Proper preparation not only protects your plants and soil but also sets the stage for a flourishing garden come spring. Follow this detailed checklist to ensure your outdoor space weathers the frost in peak condition.

1. Protect Your Perennials

Perennial plants can survive winter, but they need a little help:

• Cut Back Selectively: Trim back dead or diseased foliage to reduce pest and disease problems next year. Leave seed heads on plants like coneflowers and grasses for winter interest and as a food source for birds.

• Mulch: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of perennials to insulate their roots and prevent freeze-thaw cycles that can heave plants out of the soil.

2. Care for Your Lawn

Don’t neglect your grass—it needs attention before the first frost:

• Rake Leaves: Remove fallen leaves to prevent them from smothering your lawn and creating mold - but don't get rid of them! Try using them as an organic layer beneath your ornamental mulch, add them to your compost pile, or if you have chickens or other livestock, they're excellent additions to runs for enrichment.

• Mow Shorter: Give your lawn a final mow, trimming it slightly shorter than usual to reduce snow mold risk.

• Fertilize: Use a winterizing fertilizer to promote root growth and strengthen your lawn for spring.

3. Tidy Up Beds and Borders

A clean garden is a healthier garden:

• Clear Debris: Remove dead plants, annuals, and vegetable remains to eliminate overwintering spots for pests and diseases. Leave taller stalks for beneficial bugs like bees to use for hibernation and remaining seeds for birds to forage throughout the winter.

• Compost: Add cleared plant material to your compost, but avoid including anything diseased or insect-infested.

• Edge Borders: Give garden edges a crisp trim to keep them neat throughout winter.

4. Prepare Trees and Shrubs

Your larger plants need protection, too:

• Water Thoroughly: Give trees and shrubs a deep watering before the ground freezes to help them stay hydrated.

• Wrap Tender Plants: Use burlap or frost cloth to protect young or delicate trees and shrubs from freezing temperatures and harsh winds.

• Guard Against Pests: Install tree guards to deter rodents from chewing on bark during winter.

5. Deal with Containers and Tools

Don’t let your garden tools and containers fall victim to winter weather:

• Empty Pots: Remove soil from ceramic and terra-cotta pots to prevent cracking caused by freeze-thaw cycles. Store them in a dry, sheltered spot.

• Clean and Store Tools: Wash garden tools and apply a light coating of oil to prevent rust. Store them in a shed or garage.

• Disconnect Hoses: Drain and store garden hoses to avoid freezing and cracking. Shut off outdoor water lines if possible.

6. Prep Your Soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden:

• Test Soil: Conduct a soil test to determine nutrient needs. Amend your soil now with compost or manure for a head start in spring.

• Plant Cover Crops: If you have a vegetable garden, sow cover crops like clover or rye to enrich the soil and prevent erosion.

• Protect Bare Ground: Add a layer of mulch or straw to exposed soil to shield it from winter’s harsh conditions.

7. Don’t Forget the Wildlife

Help your garden’s ecosystem thrive through the colder months:

• Provide Habitat: Leave brush piles or logs in a corner of your yard to give wildlife a place to shelter.

• Feed the Birds: Set up feeders with high-energy foods like suet and sunflower seeds, and keep them filled all winter.

• Fresh Water: Place a heated birdbath in your garden to ensure birds have access to water when temperatures drop.

8. Plan Ahead

While you’re wrapping up your garden for winter, start dreaming of spring:

• Plant Bulbs: November is the perfect time to plant spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils.

• Make Notes: Keep a journal of what worked and what didn’t this year so you can adjust your garden plans next season. Save your tags is possible, you can make a quick and easy keeper by punching holes in the top and storing them on a keychain or carabiner.

Ready Your Garden for Rest and Renewal

With these steps, you’ll protect your garden from winter damage and set yourself up for a successful growing season next year. Taking the time now to winterize your outdoor space means less work and better results when the weather warms again.

Have more winter gardening tips? Share them with us on social media using #HeyLGH!