How to Winterize Your Garden

Clean up the garden

Remove spent annuals and diseased plant material before winter, since pests and disease spores overwinter in debris. Compost healthy plant remains, but throw diseased material in the trash. A clean garden bed enters winter free of the problems that would otherwise greet you in spring.

Protect tender plants

Bring tender potted plants indoors before the first frost, and check them for pests first. For in-ground plants that are marginally hardy, a thick layer of mulch over the roots, or a burlap wrap for shrubs, provides insulation. Perennials that die back naturally can be left standing, since their tops protect the crown — but cut back anything diseased.

Mulch for insulation

A layer of mulch applied in late fall insulates the soil and protects roots from the freezing and thawing that can heave plants out of the ground. Straw, shredded leaves, or wood chips all work. Apply after the ground has cooled but before deep freezes, a few inches thick.

Prepare tools and water

Drain garden hoses and shut off outdoor spigots so freezing water doesn't crack the pipes. Clean and oil your tools, and store them somewhere dry so they're ready in spring. A few minutes of tool care now prevents rust and frustration later.

Feed the soil for spring

Late fall is a great time to add compost or a layer of leaves to beds, letting them break down over winter so the soil is richer in spring. You can also sow a cover crop in empty vegetable beds to protect and enrich the soil through the cold months.

Protect different plant types

Different plants need different levels of winter protection. Hardy perennials generally need nothing more than a layer of mulch over their roots. Tender perennials and marginally hardy shrubs benefit from a deeper mulch or a burlap wrap. Container plants are the most vulnerable, because their roots are above ground — move them to a sheltered spot or bury the pots.

Check each plant’s hardiness zone against your own, and protect anything that's borderline. A little extra insulation now is far cheaper than replacing plants in spring.

Protect containers through winter

Container plants are the most vulnerable in winter, because their roots sit above ground and freeze more readily. Move pots to a sheltered wall or an unheated garage, cluster them together to share warmth, or wrap the pots in burlap or bubble wrap. For the most tender plants, bring them indoors before the first frost.

A little protection makes the difference between a plant that returns in spring and one that's lost to a hard freeze.

Check the garden through winter

Winter isn't completely hands-off. After heavy snow or wind, check that mulches are still in place, stakes are upright, and nothing has been damaged. On mild days, you can tidy up and plan for spring. A quick winter walk now and then catches small problems before they become spring chores.

Know your last tasks before freeze

Before the ground freezes hard, finish the essential jobs: plant bulbs, add final mulch, drain hoses, and bring in tender plants. Once the soil is frozen, these tasks become impossible, so a quick mental checklist in late fall ensures nothing is left for a day when it's too late.

Drain and store hoses before the first hard freeze, since water left inside can split the hose and damage outdoor faucets, adding an avoidable repair to your spring list.