How to Prepare Your Garden for Winter so That It Blooms in Spring
Winter frosts are just around the corner, so it’s time to prepare the garden for the cold. Here’s what you need to know to maintain your plants and equipment until spring.
Don’t stop planting
Autumn is the best time to plant bulbs as the ground is still warm. Place them in the ground about 6-8 inches below the freezing line and they will remain dormant until spring. Make sure you note where they are and what they are so you don’t accidentally dig them up. Plant flower bulbs such as tulips and hyacinths for a bouquet of flowers in the spring. In the fall, you can plant garlic, ramps, and any other bulbs.
Check the plant’s hardiness zone to determine which plants and trees will grow in winter and spring. Many fruit trees are hardy enough to survive in most locations and do well when planted in the fall. The roots can take root quickly, and dormant young trees take root better in winter.
There is still time to grow vegetables! Just make sure you know the expected frost date in your area and plan accordingly. Certain vegetables, such as spinach, radishes, and lettuce, grow best in cool, fresh air and ripen quickly enough to harvest before the temperature drops too much.
Prepare your current plants
Some plants go dormant in winter and use a period of low activity to survive the frost. Give them some help by adding mulch to their beds so they have the nutrients they need to survive the winter. Save your fall leaf scraps and use them as mulch. They retain heat in the ground, degrade quickly, and are a cheap source of plant food.
Bring plants inside that won’t survive the cold and do so early. Don’t wait until the last minute to be caught off guard by a sudden drop in temperature and risk losing them.
Outdoor equipment maintenance
Before storing your lawnmower and outdoor electrical equipment for the winter, make sure they are in good working order and add a fuel stabilizer to ensure easy starting in the spring. Some people recommend running the engine until it runs out of fuel, but there is always some residual fuel left in the carburetor, which can fail and cause problems when you are ready to start it again.
Take time to clean your garden shovels and rakes before storing them, and add a little linseed oil to the wooden handles to keep them from drying out and cracking in the winter cold.
Finally, remove the garden hoses from the outdoor taps, roll them up and drain off any remaining water. Once they’re dry, twist the ends together to prevent insects and critters from settling in.
Taking the time to prepare your garden (and your tools) for winter will make it much easier to move into spring when it’s time to go back to the garden and start planting again.