Real Estate Realities Newsletter
January 2025
January is Celebration of Life Month
01/01 New Year’s Day
01/14 Orthodox New Year
01/20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Inauguration Day
01/26 National Spouses Day
01/29 Chinese New Year
01/31 National Hot Chocolate Day
How to Prepare your Garden for the Cold Season
As the crisp air of winter approaches, it’s the perfect time to prepare your garden for the colder months ahead. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice, prepping your garden for winter is essential for ensuring that your plants, soil, and tools are in good condition when spring arrives. The following guide will help you take the necessary steps to protect your garden from winter’s harsh conditions and ensure a thriving garden next year.
- Clear Out Dead and Dying Plants
One of the first steps in preparing your garden for winter is clearing out dead or dying plants. By removing these plants, you’ll prevent the spread of diseases and pests that often linger in decaying vegetation over the winter months.
Remove annuals and vegetables: If you grew annuals or vegetables, remove any leftover plants. Compost healthy plant matter, but dispose of diseased plants in the trash to avoid contaminating your compost pile.
Cut back perennials: For perennials, cut them down to ground level once the foliage has died back. This helps the plant conserve energy during the winter months.
- Mulch to Protect Your Soil
Mulching is a crucial step to protect the health of your soil during the cold season. Mulch acts as a blanket, regulating the temperature of the soil, preventing erosion, and conserving moisture. A good layer of organic mulch—such as straw, wood chips, or shredded leaves—helps protect roots from freezing temperatures and adds organic matter as it decomposes.
For flower beds and vegetable patches, apply a thick layer (about 3-4 inches) of mulch after the ground has frozen. This will keep the soil temperature consistent and prevent frost heaving, which can push plants out of the ground.
In newly planted areas, mulch will also help insulate and protect young, tender plants.
- Protect Delicate Plants
Not all plants are equipped to handle the freezing temperatures of winter. For those that are sensitive to frost, you can take steps to protect them from damage.
Bring potted plants indoors: If you have tender plants in containers, bring them indoors or to a sheltered location like a greenhouse. Make sure they receive light and water throughout the winter months.
Cover sensitive plants: Use frost blankets, burlap, or cloches to protect delicate perennials and shrubs from the cold. Be sure to remove the coverings on warmer days to prevent mold and mildew.
- Prune Trees and Shrubs
Late fall is the perfect time to prune certain trees and shrubs, as they are entering a period of dormancy. Pruning helps to remove dead or diseased branches and promotes healthy growth in the spring. However, not all plants should be pruned in the fall.
What to prune: Trim back dead or damaged branches, as well as any branches that cross each other or rub together. This applies to deciduous trees, fruit trees, and hardy shrubs.
What not to prune: Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs, as they set their buds in the fall. Pruning them now could reduce your spring bloom.
- Plant Bulbs for Spring Flowers
If you want a burst of color in your garden come springtime, now is the time to plant bulbs. Many spring-flowering bulbs, like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses, need the cold temperatures of winter to break dormancy and flower in spring.
-When to plant: Ideally, plant bulbs in the fall before the ground freezes. This gives them time to establish roots before the deep freeze.
How to plant: Plant bulbs at a depth about three times their height, with the pointed end facing up. Cover with soil and water well.
- Prepare Your Lawn
Just like your garden beds, your lawn also needs attention before the cold sets in. Fall is an excellent time to fertilize your lawn, aerate the soil, and remove leaves that could smother the grass.
Rake leaves regularly: Leaving thick piles of leaves on your lawn can block sunlight and lead to dead patches in the spring. Use a mulching mower or rake to break up and spread out leaves.
Aerate and fertilize: Aerating your lawn before winter allows oxygen and nutrients to penetrate the soil. Follow up with a fall fertilizer to help your grass store energy over winter.
- Clean and Store Garden Tools
Properly cleaning and storing your garden tools is important for prolonging their lifespan and ensuring they’re in top condition for the next growing season.
Clean your tools: Remove dirt, debris, and rust from your garden tools. Sharpen blades on pruners and shears, and apply a light coat of oil to prevent rust.
Store tools properly: Hang your tools in a dry location, such as a shed or garage. Drain all water for hoses and irrigation systems to prevent freezing and cracking.
- Prepare Your Compost
If you have a compost bin, now is a good time to add the last of your garden clippings, leaves, and vegetable scraps before winter. Turning the pile before winter will help it decompose over the cold months. Cover your compost with a tarp to help retain heat and moisture, speeding up the breakdown process.
Preparing your garden for the cold season might seem like a lot of work, but taking the time to do it will pay off in the spring. By clearing out dead plants, mulching, protecting sensitive plants, and maintaining your tools, you’ll ensure your garden stays healthy through the winter and flourishes once warmer weather returns. With proper preparation, your garden will be ready to greet the spring with new life!
Courtesy Ana Loor
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