[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”30″][vc_custom_heading text=”In late summer and early autumn, some barbecues are still sizzling, kids may still be braving their paddling pools, and the garden is still being used as intended. Preparing for the coming Winter while it’s still warm(ish!) could save you a lot of work next Spring, and your plants will thank you later. We\u2019ve got some techniques to help you protect them.” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdohire.com%2F|||”][vc_empty_space height=”30″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”241″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css_animation=”none”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”30″][vc_single_image image=”244″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”none”][vc_empty_space height=”30″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Putting the Garden to Bed” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#fedb00″][vc_empty_space height=”10″][vc_column_text]You have probably heard this term before. If you\u2019re unclear on what this means, it\u2019s basically about cleaning up garden beds and covering (or otherwise protecting) everything that isn\u2019t an annual. Annual plants, including most vegetables, will be killed once a hard frost blows through. It\u2019s their biological destiny as they have already reproduced for next year by making seeds.<\/p>\n
Unless you\u2019ve planted something that isn\u2019t hardy in your zone, perennials, trees, and shrubs go\u00a0dormant<\/i>\u00a0for the winter instead of dying. They may look dead as a doornail, but they\u2019re simply laying low until the soil warms up and the days get long. Don\u2019t be fooled by their silence \u2013 there are plenty of things going on during the cold months.<\/p>\n
Perennials, trees, and shrubs are focusing on strengthening their roots by taking in nutrition from the soil. Even compost piles will continue to break down all winter. Sure, the microbes and redworms work at a much slower pace, but they continue to work nonetheless.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Clean Up and Repair” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#fedb00″][vc_empty_space height=”10″][vc_column_text]All dead foliage should be removed from garden beds. If there are plants that have died of a disease, such as verticillium wilt on tomato plants, bag them up and send them out with the rubbish. Do\u00a0not<\/i>\u00a0add diseased foliage to your compost pile! However, leaves, stems, and spent flowers that have died due to the plants\u2019 natural life cycle or a killing frost can go into your compost pile. When your deciduous trees drop their leaves, don\u2019t throw them out. Add them to the compost pile or shred them to use as mulch instead.<\/p>\n
Autumn is the best time to make repairs to your beds, trellises, greenhouses, tools, etc., and you will thank yourself for the forethought when next season comes around. It\u2019s also a terrific time to create a new garden bed that will be ready to go come Spring.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Prepare and Protect Perennials for Winter” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#fedb00″][vc_empty_space height=”10″][vc_column_text]Winter prep strategy may or may not be useful for you depending on your climate. If you live in a growing zone that sees very little (or zero) snow, you can afford to take a more relaxed approach. That said, even if a plant is considered \u201ccold hardy,\u201d if you expect a cold snap (hard frost), some frost protection can make all the difference. If you live in an area that is known for its impressive snow levels, consider using every technique available to get your plants safely from Autumn through to Spring. The first (and best) thing you can do is choose plants that thrive in your growing zone. If you aren\u2019t sure what zone you\u2019re in, you might need to do a bit of homework!<\/p>\n
Cold weather protection is going to involve preventing frost or snow from settling on plant foliage. There are several ways to accomplish this:<\/p>\n
Mulch<\/b>\u00a0is a perennial\u2019s best friend, especially during the cold months. Mulch with compost, dry leaves, straw, wood chips, cardboard, shredded bark, grass clippings, or newspaper 4 to 6 inches around the base of the plants in Autumn. If Spring arrives early and brings unusually warm temperatures, feel free to pull the mulch away from the plants a bit. Otherwise, don\u2019t remove it until the last frost date in your area has passed.<\/p>\n
Tender bulbs<\/b>\u00a0such as begonia, dahlia, ranunculus, canna, caladium, gladiola, freesia, and gladiola should be gently lifted from the garden and stored in a dry, cool space for the winter to be replanted next season. Daffodils, crocus, tulip, and hyacinth are good examples of hardy bulbs that will tolerate a hard frost.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”246″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”none”][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Prepare and Protect Trees and Shrubs for the Winter” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#fedb00″][vc_empty_space height=”10″][vc_column_text]Commercial garden fabric, burlap, or tarps<\/b>\u00a0make useful winter protection. Ideally, these items should shield the plants without touching them. The materials become wet and then freeze, which can damage the plant underneath. So, using stakes or a frame to hold the fabric around the plants is your best bet. Any type of cover used should go all the way down to the root zone.<\/p>\n
Sheets, blankets, and drapes<\/b>\u00a0can be recycled and used as plant blankets as well.<\/p>\n
Plastic<\/b>\u00a0can be used in place of a heavier material, but again, be sure to use a frame to keep the plastic off the plants. One way to use plastic is to make a boxed wood frame and staple the plastic onto the sides (leaving the bottom open). Place the box over the plant at night and remove it during the day for warmer temperatures.<\/p>\n
Cardboard boxes<\/b>\u00a0and layers of newspapers can be used as frost protection for shrubs.<\/p>\n
Potted plants<\/b>\u00a0might be easily pulled under an awning or porch cover for protection. If the container is too heavy to move, wrap burlap or a tarp around them.<\/p>\n
Both young and delicate trees<\/b>\u00a0(like citrus) can be protected by wrapping burlap around their trunks. In fact, you can even wrap entire trees in burlap.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”249″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”none”][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”What About Winter Vegetables?” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#fedb00″][vc_empty_space height=”10″][vc_column_text]There\u2019s no need to put a garden to bed if you\u2019re planting winter vegetables. Winter is often considered downtime as far as gardening goes, when the truth is that cool-weather crops such as spinach, broccoli, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, Swiss chard, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, and lettuce are happy to produce for you. Start them by seed in the early Autumn so that they are well on their way once the cold weather sets in.<\/p>\n
In areas where the Winters are mild, some vegetable plants such broccoli, kale, and turnips won\u2019t need protection from cold snaps. In fact, a little frostbite adds more flavour to these plants.<\/p>\n
Floating Row Covers<\/b>\u00a0are made from garden fabric laid gently on and around individual row crops.<\/p>\n
Hoop Houses<\/b>\u00a0are a larger version of the row covers and enclose the entire garden bed. PVC pipe can be attached to the outside of the bed at even intervals. A polyethylene material is then tossed over the structure. To help keep the plastic in place, set bricks or rocks along the bottom of the material to secure it to the ground.<\/p>\n
Cold Frames<\/b>\u00a0are another simple structure that protects vegetables in the winter and plants starts in the spring is a cold frame. Cold frames are rectangular and look like very short greenhouses that don\u2019t have shelves or heat. Plants are in pots or planted directly on the ground. To take advantage of winter sunlight, the top of the cold frame is made of plastic or glass and opens like a door for good air circulation.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”251″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”none”][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Winter Watering” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#fedb00″][vc_empty_space height=”10″][vc_column_text]Please don\u2019t forget to water your perennials, trees, and shrubs in the winter if you haven\u2019t had much rain. They obviously won\u2019t need as much watering in the cold months as they would the warm or hot ones. They should go into winter well-watered for root protection, as plant roots stay warmer when water is present because it traps heat. Water them deeply early in the morning a few times a month.<\/p>\n