How to Winterize Your Garden

Readying your garden for winter is essential in cold-winter regions, where freezing, drying conditions can tax even hardy plants. Even in warmer climates there's plenty to do.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Antitranspirant Sprays
• Gardening Gloves
• Leaf Rakes
• Mulch
• Vermiculite
• Burlap

1. Plant spring-blooming bulbs such as tulips and daffodils. Plant them any time from September in colder regions through December in warmer climates - as long as the ground can be easily worked.

2. Rake leaves and dispose of them, preferably in a compost heap. Failing to rake leaves can result in a dying or diseased lawn.

3. Pull up any annual flowers or vegetables felled by frost. Dispose of these in the compost heap; if you suspect disease, throw them in the garbage.

4. Cut back almost to the ground any perennials whose foliage has become unsightly. The seedheads and dried foliage of some perennials add interest during the winter months, while others just look messy.

5. Weed. Fall action prevents weeds from getting a head start next spring, saving you work in the long run.

6. Dig up tender bulbs. Cannas, tuberous begonias, gladiolus, dahlias and most other summer-blooming bulbs don't survive the winter in USDA Zone 9 and colder. Store bulbs in vermiculite in a paper bag in a cool (65 degrees F or cooler), dry spot.

7. Protect roses as needed (see "eHow to Care for Roses').

8. Apply a winter mulch to perennials where winter temperatures generally fall below minus 10 degrees F. Simply lay a lightweight organic mulch, such as shredded autumn leaves, pine needles or straw, over beds to protect plants from winter's extremes. Avoid more compact mulches and whole leaves (which can mat), since they can suffocate plants.

9. Protect broad-leaved evergreens, such as rhododendrons and holly, with an antidesiccant spray. This prevents water loss from drying winter winds.

10. Water evergreens and small trees and shrubs if the fall weather is especially dry. Their foliage and stems need to be nice and plump to prevent damage from drying winds now through early spring.

Tips & Warnings

• Save your favorite plants before frost hits. Small annuals and herbs are wonderful for digging up and planting in pots to spend the winter in a sunny window inside.
• Don't fertilize or prune plants at the end of their seasons. Either could promote tender new growth that will get nipped by cold. The exception is trimming out dead or damaged branches or foliage.

on 11/22/2005 In zonal areas where ground frost is a problem, continue to water the garden until freeze-up, as the plants need as much water as possible.