As winter approaches, you might be concerned about the well-being of your garden and the plants in it.
Some plants are hardier than others, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take your winter garden prep seriously. One single freeze can kill an entire garden overnight. Don’t let your garden become a victim to winter frost; prepare yourself for the season to come.
There are several things you can do to make sure your plants survive and thrive throughout the winter. Fret no more; we’re here to give you a few ways to prep your garden for winter.
If you’re interested in finding out the best way to protect your precious plants, keep reading.
Harvest Vegetables
If you’re a seasoned gardener, you may find this to be self-explanatory, but before the weather changes and the air cools, you should harvest any remaining fall crops. Of course, a spare one here or there may survive, but leaving old crops out during a new season can invite a host of problems.
Insects, nutrient-depleted soil, and you falling behind on winter preparations are only a few things that can go wrong. Stay ahead of the game and harvest as much as you can. With more time to prepare for winter, your garden will be in better shape.
If you’re holding out hope for late bloomers, be sure to harvest what you can before the first frost. While they may have been able to hold out throughout the fall, weather in the winter is not as forgiving.
Clean Out Old Plants and Weeds
“Out with the old, in with the new.” The common phrase is especially true for plants in your garden. As the fall season comes to a close, you’ll need to go through your garden, assessing which perennials you want to keep and prune and which to discard.
You’ll also want to look at your annuals. It will be difficult to get them to bloom or last much longer at this time of the year, so consider bringing them into a greenhouse. For annuals that are dead and gone, turn them into compost to fertilize the soil of your winter crops. It’s all about the circle of life.
For soil that’s ready for fresh crops, it’s also a good idea to weed your soil. Weeds don’t fare well during the cold months either, so get a handle on them early and keep them at bay as the season changes. Just as spring cleaning can revigorate a house, a post-fall weeding is necessary to give your hearty winter plants a fighting chance at surviving winter.
Grow Hearty Plants
As winter approaches, you’ll need to consider which crops you’ll plant to ride out the season. Though typically plants do not fare well through frost and ice, you can still turn a crop during even the bleakest season. Winter crops are possible!
Brussel sprouts, kale, and carrots are just a few of the hearty crops that thrive during the winter months. For some plants like these, they even taste better after a little frost has come their way.
Do your research and figure out which plants will thrive in your region. Winters in Florida will be different than winter in Montana, so plant your garden accordingly! Refer to weather predictions, crop data, and prior year’s statistics to get an idea about where your garden and its crops stand.
Or are you tired of the cold weather completely? Too many winters spent poring over crops just to be disappointed or exhausted by the end? There may come a time when you decide to hang up the spade in one part of your life and move somewhere warmer.
If you’re looking to start a new garden somewhere where the frost doesn’t bite, you may want to consider selling your home soon. Look into cash for houses so you can make your move before the frost hits!
Add Compost
The health of your soil is more important now than ever. During the harsh winter months, your plants rely on the nutrients that you provide the soil. For healthy plants even during cold weather, you have to fertilize it.
The best way to create your own nutrient-dense soil is by creating a compost pile. While you can’t achieve this overnight, if you begin a compost pile at least a few months before you plan to spread your fertilizer, you should have enough time to compose a good balance of nutrients.
Your winter crops will be thanking you for the extra boost of phosphate and nitrogen when they’re toughing out the winter. This will also help if you decide to plant cover crops instead.
Cover Your Soil
If you don’t plan on growing winter crops, you still need to protect your soils and the nutrients it contains so that in the spring, your garden blooms plentifully. Erosion is also a risk when leaving your plants exposed to the harsh dealings of winter.
By planting cover crops, you create a barrier between the snow and frozen ground and that precious, nutrient-rich soil. Great cover crops for winter can be anything from clover to wheat to peas.
Get Ready for Winter Garden Prep
Every new season is a chance to grow anew. Don’t fear the snow, ice, or frost! If you prepare correctly, you’ll have no trouble taking care of your garden this winter. Like any season, winter proves its own set of challenges.
But what would the fun of gardening be without the challenge! Winter garden prep is essential for your soil and plants’ well-being, so don’t fall behind. Get started on your preparations now!
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