Isn’t it just the worst when you leave a restaurant to find it raining when you have no umbrella or raincoat?
When you aren’t prepared, some situations don’t work. This lack of preparation ends up ruining too many people’s yards every year. Plants lose their color when the temperature drops and become mere husks of their former selves. There is hope if you get started right now.
Take note of the following gardening tips to winter-proof your yard from the harsh winter conditions.
1. Prepping Your Perennial Plants
Perennials are those lovely plants that return each year without you needing to replant them. They will go into sleep mode during the winter and then burst back into life in the spring. Before winter, it is best to give them some pruning and mulching. Pruning your perennials will help eliminate any diseases and drop the risk for pests to lay eggs. Mulching will ensure the roots have supply the plant with enough nutrients to make it through the winter.
2. Prepping Your Annual Plants
Your annual plants will need more love than your perennials. Collect the seeds of your favorites to start the next generation in spring. You can dig up your plants to use them for composting. You can then use this compost for mulching in the coming year.
3. Prepping Your Bulbs
Bulb plants have different needs. Dig up the bulb and clean it before the first frost. Add mulch to the soil where your bulbs typically live. Cardboard boxes serve as great containers for your bulbs. Keep them separate and in a breathable area to prevent rot. Stow them in a cooler, dry area.
4. Prepping Your Shrubs and Trees
Get as much water into your shrub and tree roots before the first chill. This advice goes for all trees and shrubs, but especially evergreens. The younger the plant is, the more water and even fertilizer it will need. If the tree or shrub is too young, it may need to be brought inside. Shelter your shrubs with a burlap screen or some other protective barrier.