Green Team: How to Winterize Your Garden

Photo Credit: Green Team Members

By Anika Alston

Green Team Member

With winter here it is important to think ahead and plan. Not just for the holidays of course but for your garden as well! Here we will share tips on how to best prepare your garden for the winter.

It is important you learn what is best for the environment you live in. Knowing what plants best suit your winter is how one can increase the longevity of their garden. Of course not all plants are made for winter so it is important you know what should be removed and what can stay.

Before frost hits remove any tender plants or vegetables like squashes or summer flowers. These plants should be picked or harvested before frost hits and dug up to prevent the killing of their roots. Hardy vegetables like root vegetables can stay in the ground but should be harvested before the group freezes. Semi-hardy plants can withstand some frost but it is important to provide them protection. Oftentimes these plants can survive but for leafy greens like cabbage their outside leaves may be damaged.

When dealing with freezing temperatures you should be prepared to turn off outdoor water systems to avoid them freezing. When heavy snowfall or icy weather is predicted, you should plan to cover plants or bushes. You should not only become familiar with the plants suited for your growing zone, but which ones will need to be covered (see links below). To help wildlife, especially birds, you should wait until spring to clear out the old plant materials. Plant heads and seeds provide food for some animals.

One of the most essential parts to winterizing your garden is keeping it nutrient and moisturized. The best way you can do this is by watering your soil, then applying a few inches of compost over top, and then layering mulch or hayer over top to lock it all in. This should be done before the ground freezes of course so all the nutrients can be absorbed into the soil.

Like your soil and plants cozy up and stay warm!

More Information:

Know what can tolerate frost
- Tender vegetables like tomatoes, squash, and beans should be harvested before any frost strikes
- Pull out these plants before the frost and bring them inside if wanted
- Hardy vegetables like root vegetable can tolerate frost and can be left in the ground
- Root vegetables should be removed from the ground before it freezes
- Plants like leafy greens, kale, collard greens, brussel sprouts should be covered in hay or leaves up to their tops in the late fall
- Semi-Hardy can withstand light frost but benefit from protection like a row cover or cold frame
- vegetables like cabbage and swiss chard can withstand light frost but leaves on the outside may get damaged
Moisture and Nutrients
- A few inches of compost should be added on top of garden beds before the ground freezes
- This allows for nutrients to absorbed into the soil over the winter time
- A layer of hay or mulch should be added on top to preserve

https://www.almanac.com/10-tips-preparing-your-garden-winter

Turn off outside watering systems/garden watering systems so they do not freeze
Leave some stuff from the animals
- If you have extra seeds and plants heads leave them out for the animals

https://savvygardening.com/how-to-winterize-your-yard/

Water soil and make sure it has plenty of residual moisture to keep remaining plants healthy
Cover plants when heavy snowfall or icy weather is predicted this can keep your garden safe
Make sure the plants you choose for your garden are able to withstand your winter weather
- Pick plants suited for your growing zone to ensure lasting results

https://southernlivingplants.com/planting-care/5-steps-to-winterize-your-garden/