Preparing The Garden For Winter

Are you like me? Sad to see the summer end but at the same time relieved that there is one less task to tend to. Weeding, watering, pruning, and more weeding is over for this year and with a few more chores the outdoor gardening year draws to a close. Most of what needs to be completed is a matter of cleaning up and covering up. Practical steps to preparing your outdoor garden for winter involve:

1. Protecting plants. There are different opinions concerning whether to cut down or leave plants standing through the winter. Here on the prairies most people leave their perennials standing for a variety of reasons. In particular, trapping the snow cover is important for protection of plants and retaining moisture. Snow cover acts the same as good mulch by insulating the soil. Many perennial stems and seed heads are also very attractive for winter interest and provide food for the birds. After the ground freezes, mulch perennials and shrub beds with pine needles, compost, peat moss, or chopped leaves. This protects the soil and plant roots and moderates the effects of extreme temperature changes during winter periods of freezes and thaws.

2. Cleaning-up the garden. Harvest warm-season crops such as tomatoes even though they are still green. Lie out on windowsills; or layer in boxes with newspapers between the layers of tomatoes. They will slowly ripen or you can use green tomatoes for fried green tomatoes or various green tomato recipes. Pull out any remaining crops or spent annuals; clean up remaining debris and weeds to decrease the possibility of disease problems in the spring.

3. Evaluating your garden design. Before you start winterizing your garden, take a few minutes to review what worked and what didn't and make note of any areas that you would like to change in the spring.

4. Prepare the soil for early spring seeding. Turn over the garden soil late in the season while amending with organic matter such as leaves, compost, or well-rotted manure. In the spring, a light raking is all that is needed.

5. Caring for trees and lawns. Protect the tender bark of young trees from rabbits and gnawing critters by wrapping stems or trunks with chicken wire or commercial tree-guard products. To prevent rodents from nesting near buildings and trees, trim tall grass, and remove weeds. Deeply water trees and shrubs so that they go into winter well hydrated. Don't prune shrubs and trees as it may stimulate new growth just before the harsh weather. Cut lawns and fertilise if you wish with a low nitrogen 'winter' blend. Use grass clippings for mulch or compost. Never send them to the landfill, as they are excellent fertiliser left on the lawn (if they are not too long) and/or make terrific compost/mulch dug straight into the garden or used for pathways. Once rotted on garden pathways, dig into the garden and replace with new grass clippings.

6. Planting before winter. Now is the time to plant bulbs. Garden centres carry many varieties suitable for the prairies. Remember: buy good quality as cheap is not better ? the larger the bulb ? the larger the bloom. Look for plumpness, firmness, clean skin, and surface. Directions for planting are included with the package.

7. Composting. Compost dead plant debris including leaves. Leaves are a valuable natural resource. Rather than a nuisance, they are the best soil amendment as well as terrific mulches. Leaves take very little effort to recycle into a wonderful soil conditioner ? leaf mould ? for the yard and garden. You can make leaf mould by the same process nature does. Pile up moist leaves and wait for them to decompose or shred the leaves into smaller pieces before piling them up. If you wish, you can enclose the pile with chicken wire, snow fencing, or something similar. In the spring, I rake up dry leaves and dig them straight into the vegetable garden.

8. Cleaning your tools. Clean the soil from all your gardening tools, oil any wooden handles and moving parts, sharpen any blades, and then store them in a dry place for the winter.

9. Water Gardening. Bring in pumps, drain, clean, refill (if necessary) and store tender water plants prior to freezing.

10. Bringing in your indoor plants. Before bringing in any houseplants that have spent the summer outdoors, examine them for critters, wash them, and spray with soapy water or insecticidal soap. Use sterilised potting soil purchased from garden centres or shopping malls if re-potting your plants. Don't use garden soil as it may harbour insects, weed seeds, disease, and fungi.

Gwen Nyhus Stewart, B.S.W., M.G., H.T., is an educator, freelance writer, garden consultant, and author of the book The Healing Garden: A Place Of Peace ? Gardening For The Soil, Gardening For The Soul. She owns the website Gwen's Healing Garden where you will find lots of free information about gardening for the soil and gardening for the soul. To find out more about the book and subscribe to her free Newsletter visit http://www.gwenshealinggarden.ca

Gwen Nyhus Stewart © 2004 ? 2005. All rights reserved.

---

Budget For Your Garden

Have you ever thought about how much it costs to... Read More

Easy Care Of Phalaenopsis

Do you have a knack for being with moths? Most... Read More

Who Sells Flower Bulbs?

Flower bulbs offer some of the most distinctive, unusual flowers... Read More

Why You Should Always Have Garden Furniture

You've put a lot of work into your garden, from... Read More

Tuberous Begonias

If you appreciate plants that have no hesitation in boldly... Read More

Do You Know About A Bamboo Orchid

Bamboo Orchid PlantWhen you think of bamboo you really think... Read More

Are My Grapes Ready to Harvest?

This is the time of the year that I keep... Read More

For the Birds: Selecting and Placing a Bird House

Bird watching brings enjoyment to many people. Selecting and correct... Read More

Overwintering Pond Fish

The metabolism of koi and goldfish is controlled primarily by... Read More

Lawn Moles and Proper Lawn Care

Are your making mountains out of your molehills? Although lawn... Read More

Gardening - An Expression

Give the same plants to several people, you will see... Read More

Add Value to Your Home - Landscaping

Just recently my friend had his house appraised between $800,000... Read More

Grow Organic Vegetables

There are more reasons than ever why anybody with access... Read More

Thyme: The Herb of Courage

Garden thyme, fresh or dried, alone or combined with parsley... Read More

Bare Root Roses

Bare Root Roses, what to look for when buyingThe first... Read More

Herbs: Growing Your Own

The first thing you need to do when deciding to... Read More

Patio Design ? Expanding Your Home Outdoors

A patio can be... Read More

Buying a Lawn Mower

Anyone with a lawn, no matter how small will at... Read More

Plants To Grow Old With or The Constant Battle

Following are a few paragraphs about the on going battle... Read More

The Amazing Hummingbird

Without a doubt, hummingbirds are beautiful and interesting creatures.Those living... Read More

The Benefits of Landscaping

How much have you thought about landscaping? Do you know... Read More

Lawn Care Information

Recent lawn care information reports that a lot of us... Read More

How to Care for Your Outdoor Water Fountains

Garden lovers around the world love putting fountains among their... Read More

Feed the Birds

Elaborate and decorative or simple and functional, birdhouses and birdfeeders... Read More

Feeding the Hummingbirds

Early in May here in west central Wisconsin, I can... Read More

A Garden Pond in Your Landscape - Want Water in Your Yard?

A Garden Pond in your Landscape - Want Water in... Read More

Garden Sheds - More Than Just Storage

You may already have a garage or shed in your... Read More

Backyard Bird--The Catbird

It's quiet now.Gone is the constant chatter, whistles and meowing... Read More

Green Thumb Gifts: Beyond Gardening Gloves

Ahh, spring! It has sprung! Gardeners (and budding gardeners -... Read More

Growing Great Potatoes

Potatoes are so easy to grow in the no dig,... Read More

Build A Simple Planter Box

Love flowers, but don't have the space -- or the... Read More

Plants, Birds, Love and Deer Hate

Hi Friends;This is the second year in a row I... Read More

How to Grow Apples

The first thing you need to grow apples is a... Read More