Tidying Up Your Garden in Winter
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Collapse ▲As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, many gardeners hang up their tools and wait for spring. However, winter is an excellent time to tidy up your garden and prepare it for a healthy, thriving growing season. With a little effort, you can protect your plants, improve soil health, and even set the stage for new growth.
Clean Up Debris
Start by removing fallen leaves, dead plants, and other debris from your garden beds. This prevents pests and diseases from overwintering in your garden. While some organic material can be left to decompose and enrich the soil, avoid leaving anything that shows signs of disease or pest infestation.
Prune and Trim
Winter is the perfect time to prune many trees and shrubs while they’re dormant. Remove dead or diseased branches to encourage healthy growth in the spring. Be cautious, though—some plants, like spring-flowering shrubs, should be pruned after they bloom, not before.
Mulch for Protection
Apply a layer of mulch to protect the roots of perennials from freezing temperatures and to prevent soil erosion. Organic mulch like straw, wood chips, or leaves adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down over time.
Prepare Your Soil
Winter is a great time to improve your soil. Add compost, manure, or other organic matter to enrich it for spring planting. If you live in a region with mild winters, consider planting a cover crop like clover or rye to prevent soil erosion and add nutrients. You can get a soil test from the Extension office to know how you need to amend your soil.
Tend to Tools and Equipment
Take this time to clean, sharpen, and oil your gardening tools. Properly stored and maintained tools will be ready to go when you need them.
Plan for Spring
Winter is the ideal season to dream and plan. Sketch out your garden layout, decide on new plants, and order seeds early. If you have indoor space, start seedlings to give them a head start.
Feed the Wildlife
Winter can be tough on local wildlife. Consider leaving seedheads on some plants for birds or adding a bird feeder to your garden. Providing a water source can also help sustain animals through the colder months.