From Homes and Gardens · · 1m 30s
6 Winter Garden Prep Tasks
Experts recommend six key steps to prepare your garden before winter frost hits.
In brief
Experts recommend six key steps to prepare your garden before winter frost hits. Gardeners should mulch beds, move pots, remove diseased plants, dig up tender bulbs, give lawns a final mow, and store tools before winter to protect plants from frost. Originally reported by Homes and Gardens.
Mulch Beds
Mulch beds with 1-3 inches of organic material to protect roots from frost and retain soil nutrients.
“One thing gardeners should always do in the fall to prepare their soil for winter is mulching”
Move and Protect Pots
Move frost-sensitive pots to south-facing walls or sheltered areas to prevent freezing and rotting.
“Any pots that have perennial plants in them get placed up against my house during the winter (south-facing is best) since it is warmer close to the house”
Remove Diseased Material
Bag and dispose of diseased plants to prevent fungal growth and pests from overwintering.
“Anything that is diseased needs to be bagged and trashed instead of put in your compost because that diseased plant material will infiltrate your compost”
Dig Up Tender Bulbs
Lift tender bulbs like dahlias and gladiolus before first frost to store in cool, dry places over winter.
“I recommend using milk crates with newspaper or paper bags between the layers, and don't let the bulbs touch”
Give Lawn Final Mow
Mow lawn to 2.5-3 inches before winter to insulate roots and prevent fungal issues.
“Grass doesn't stop growing just because it's not hot out”
Store Tools and Equipment
Drain and store garden tools, hoses, and irrigation systems to prevent freezing damage.
“If there's any water left in your irrigation system, it can freeze, expand, and damage pipes”
Check for Pests
Treat plants with insecticidal soap before moving them indoors to prevent pest infestations.
“Bring frost-sensitive plants into suitable shelter before temperatures fall below their tolerance, checking for pests first”
Remove Fallen Leaves
Clear fallen leaves from lawns to prevent fungal problems and bare patches over winter.
“Skip the fall work, and you're asking a weaker lawn to survive winter stress and then somehow green up on schedule”
Overwintering Tips
Store bulbs in crates with airflow to prevent rotting and ensure readiness for spring planting.
“You want them to have really good airflow over the winter so they don't mold and are ready to plant next spring”
Frost Protection
Use frost protection for faucets to prevent freezing and damage to garden equipment.
“You want to check all of the exterior faucets that you use for gardening and make sure that they are either frost protection type or that they are covered”
What matters most
Gardeners should mulch beds, move pots, remove diseased plants, dig up tender bulbs, give lawns a final mow, and store tools before winter to protect plants from frost.
