If you want to prepare your yard or garden for the upcoming winter, there are several tasks you need to do so it will be easier to manage once spring arrives.
Depending on the type of plants you have in your garden, there are specific tasks you need to do to ensure they’ll make it through the cold season. Doing so will help lessen the amount of work on your yard in the upcoming spring. Here are several ways to prepare your outdoor space for the winter.
1. Remove Any Diseased Plants And Excess Vegetation
You need to check all the plants in your yard thoroughly. If you notice any signs of disease on some of your plants, consider removing them while leaving the rest behind. The other remaining plants can protect the soil and shelter any overwintering pollinators.
Removing dead plants and those with diseases is one way to prevent growing plants from being infected. Remember that it’s a priority if any foliage shows signs of mildew, disease, blight, or mold.
Don’t forget about removing any invasive weeds in your yard. Make sure you remove them entirely by digging them up to the roots and placing them in the trash. Most invasive weeds are likely to survive if you put them in a weed pile or compost heap. Removing them is the only sure way to prevent them from sprouting again.
Once you have gathered all the garden wastes, calling in a professional same-day rubbish removal service that offers a garden and green waste removal might be a good decision. Calling in the experts will ensure timely and efficient disposal of all your garden wastes.
2. Prune Perennial Plants
Before winter arrives, it might be time to trim some of your perennial plants during the fall. You should focus the pruning task on roses, sage, thyme, rosemary, rhubarb, and asparagus.
Make sure to resist the urge to cut back your perennial flowering plants, especially those covered in seed heads. Doing so will provide sustenance for overwintering birds in your area.
3. Check The Status Of Your Soil
The soil should be in good shape before the winter season. A soil test will come in handy in determining the pH levels, the concentration of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sulfur, and the amount of lead and organic matter. The results will serve as your basis on whether you need to add amendments.
4. Amend The Soil In Your Yard
If you usually amend your yard during spring, this time, consider doing the task during the fall. It’s the right time to add amendments such as compost, manure, bone meal, rock phosphate, or organic fertilizers.
When you add nutrients at this time of the year, it allows them to break down to enrich the ground and become biologically active. Amending the soil during the fall will also cut down on your tasks once spring arrives.
5. Add Mulch
Once you have all the amendments in place, you need to add a layer of mulch. Generally, mulching before winter will help reduce water loss, protect the soil from erosion and prevent the growth of weeds.
Another main advantage of adding mulch is protection from freezing and thawing. As the ground adjusts to the colder weather, it can negatively affect the roots of garden plants.
A substantial layer of mulch over the soil surface helps regulate the temperature and moisture while easing the shift into winter weather. The mulch contributes fresh organic materials to the soil as it decomposes.
6. Clean Out Your Compost Pile
Your compost is already ready to use at this time of the year, and it will make a good cover if you have garden beds or an amendment to the soil. When you clear out your compost, it’ll be ready for a new batch that you can use for the following year.
7. Trimming The Grass
When cutting the grass during fall, make sure to maintain a low height. Doing so will prevent animals such as mice from burrowing through your yard during the winter.
8. Maintain Your Garden Tools
One way to make spring gardening hassle-free is to freshen up your tools before winter arrives. You may tend to overlook the task altogether if you don’t keep your garden tools in good shape throughout the year.
Start by thoroughly washing your tools to eliminate any dirt or debris buildup. In case of rust, you can remove them using sandpaper or a wire brush. Don’t forget to sharpen shovels or hoes using a mill file.
Complete the maintenance task by applying light machine oil on the surfaces of your tools. The purpose is to seal the metal from oxygen and prolong the lifespan.
Final Thoughts
When you live in an area with harsh winters, making the necessary preparations for your yard is a must. Several measures, such as eliminating weeds, amending, and mulching your outdoor space, will ensure the best protection against the winter weather while getting it ready for spring gardening.