As winter approaches and nature begins to settle in for a long nap, your flower beds will need a little attention if you want them to produce beautiful, hearty plants in the spring. With just a few basic steps you can winterize your beds and encourage healthy plant growth.
Step 1
First make a plan. Plan where you will put the plants that you will be dividing before you do it.
Step 2
Remove all annuals roots and all. It is rare that seeds from them can survive the winter so it is best to remove them from beds. Put these in your compost pile to use next year.
Step 3
Cut back all of your perennials right down to the ground. Those perennials that have become too crowded need to be divided. To do this, just dig the plants out of the ground. Gently knock off the soil that clings to the roots. I usually break the roots apart by hand, but sometimes you will need to cut them with a knife. This is especially true with plants like irises that have rhizomes that are very hard to separate. Make sure each section has a section of leaves attached to it. If there are any roots or bulbs that are shriveled up or “sick” looking, throw them away. They look that way because they are unhealthy. After you have separated the roots you can transplant them to the new areas you prepared in your garden. If your flower beds are overflowing, share some of your plants with family and friends. It’s important to thin your plants so they can grow stronger and healthier.
Step 4
Fall is an excellent time to plant bulbs. Start with healthy bulbs and plant them according to directions. Remember, many bulb plants spread so you may want to allow for that when planting them.
Step 5
Rake back any old mulch from around plants and bushes. Spread an even layer of rich topsoil over the entire bed, using a rake to get an even covering. Put extra soil around the base of young perennials. Put back the old mulch and add new mulch evenly over the bed. Again, add additional mulch to the base of young plantings. Be careful not to over-cover your bulbs!
More Tips to Get Your Flower Garden Ready for Winter
- Remember to keep watering your plants and shrubs until the ground freezes. Just because there isn’t visible growth going on doesn’t mean your plants don’t need assistance.
- If you want to relocate any shrubs or small trees, do it when the leaves have fallen off most of the trees. You can also plant new trees and shrubs now.
- If you don’t have a compost pile already, now is the perfect time to start one. Compost is a wonderful addition to your beds, making the soil and the plants healthier while promoting beneficial insects. Just add some green stuff (grass clippings, vegetable matter) to some brown stuff (leaves, dried plants), stir regularly and you’ll have black gold of your own.
- Usually, ornament grasses can be left untrimmed, but do remove any dead or brown leaves and stalks.
- Evergreens should be cut back well after the first frost. Again, remove cuttings and dispose or use in compost.
- It is probably best not to add fertilizer at this stage. Flowers need to be allowed to go through their natural wintering process so they can naturally recover as temperatures warm.
There are lots of things you’d rather do in the fall than clean up the garden and get it ready for winter. However, doing these tasks during the beautiful fall days ensures a happy and healthy start to the growing season next year. Remember too, raking leaves, putting down mulch and pulling weeds are all really good exercise, which everyone needs a little more of before the holiday season!
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