This is the hard post to write as my garden is pretty much…done. We have snow and below zero temperatures coming this week so we have been feverishly cleaning up and cleaning out. We were able to harvest the last of the pumpkins, zucchinis, cucumbers, peppers, apples and I’m hoping to cover the last of the carrots as they may survive for Thanksgiving (crossing my fingers). So, I thought it would be a good idea to share some tips on getting your garden ready for winter.
- Clean Out! – Be sure to harvest and get all of your goodies inside before the frost hits. Last year, I waited and I lost a bunch of produce. Also, tomatoes are really gross to clean up when it’s too late so please clean early, speaking from experience! Root vegetables will be okay for awhile and I have been told that root vegetables will get a great flavour if left in the ground for awhile.
- Clean Out Debris – This means fallen leaves, weeds and sticks as critters might find their way to settle in.
- Mulch Leaves – Mulching leaves and covering garden roots is a great way to give some nutrition to your gardens. I plan to mulch some leaves and cover my newly planted hydrangea bushes and cedars.
- Till Vegetable Garden – Best to do the whole plot. If you compost, this is a good time to layer to promote a great garden for next year.
- Water! – Seems weird but if there are some warmer days, water the flower, bush and tree gardens so that there is a nice layer of water to freeze during the winter months. This will help nourish your roots especially if you live in a dry area like myself with lots of wind!
These are just a few tips and I know there are a ton more! I promise to have a much more robust list next year!
