It’s no secret that the winter season poses unique challenges for gardeners. During the colder months, ornamental grasses and perennials shut their leaves, vines retreat underground, and trees shed their leaves. However, with a strategic plan of action—and some expert tips—you can get your gardens through this tough time and emerge with even more stunning spring gardens. With these tips for winterizing your gardens, your adjustments to your maintenance routine, and thoughtful plant selections, you can enjoy your outdoor space all year long.
Rotate Your Gardens to Preserve Soil Health
The best way to keep your soil healthy is to rotate your gardens. By rotating your crops, you effectively prevent the depletion of soil nutrients, a healthy soil ecosystem is the foundation of any plant. Rotating your plantings each year is one of the best ways to preserve soil health because it prevents the buildup of pests and diseases that can be detrimental to your plants.
Protect Shrubs and Trees with Wraps
Wrapping your shrubs and trees throughout the colder months can help protect them from winter’s worst. When choosing a wrap fabric, look for one that is lightweight and breathable. Avoid fabrics that retain too much moisture, which can cause rot and fungal diseases. For best results, wrap your plants as early in the fall season as possible. Make sure the wraps are high enough, tight enough, and secured with enough tension so that no rodents can get inside. Keep your eyes peeled for rodent damage, especially around the base of the plants. If you notice something suspicious, act quickly to prevent the spread of disease.
Keep Tabs on Plant Health
It’s important to note that not all plants react the same way to the winter season. For example, evergreens such as rhododendrons and viburnums are evergreen perennials—or ornamental plants that retain their leaves all year long. By contrast, deciduous plants lose their leaves during the fall and winter seasons. While deciduous plants are dormant, evergreens are actively growing, making them ideal for protecting your landscape from the elements. Keep tabs on the health of your plants to determine whether they are able to withstand the harsh winter elements. If you notice any signs of damage (such as wilting leaves), consider pruning your plants. Pruning at the end of the growing season will help plants regrow new leaves and stay healthy.
Cold Weather Vegetable Gardens
If you have a vegetable garden, you may want to consider planting a cold hardy vegetable garden. In many northeastern climates, the first frost will likely appear sometime in October, which is too early for many vegetables to thrive. By planting a cold hardy garden, you can protect your plants from the cold and still have time to harvest some vegetables before the first frost hits. Choose a few hardy vegetables that grow well in your climate and follow the same gardening techniques you would for a regular garden.
Row Covers
If you want to extend the growing season or protect certain plants, row covers may be a good option for you. Row covers are lightweight fabrics that can be used to shield plants from pests and weather conditions. Some row covers are black, which will trap heat to get your plants growing a little bit earlier. Row covers are great for extending the growing season and protecting young plants from frost. You can also use row covers to protect plants from extreme temperatures. For example, you could use them to shield tomatoes and peppers from a late frost or to protect sensitive plants from a late or early freeze.
With a Little Bit of Prep Work
Your gardens can make it through a brutal winter without having to resort to indoor gardening. Maintaining your garden through winter can be challenging, but it’s also a great time to reflect, plan, and get ready for new growth in spring. Enjoy the quiet time, but keep tabs on your plants so you can make sure they’re as ready for spring as you are.