As the vibrant colors of fall fade and winter approaches, it’s time to prepare your garden for the cold months ahead. Taking the right steps in late fall will protect your plants, improve soil health, and set the stage for a thriving garden in spring.
Here’s how to give your Maryland garden the winter care it needs.
1. Clean Up Garden Beds
Remove dead plants, weeds, and debris from your garden beds to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering.
Pro Tip: Add healthy plant material to your compost pile but discard any diseased or pest-ridden debris.
2. Mulch for Protection
A layer of mulch helps insulate plant roots and regulate soil temperature.
What to Use: Organic materials like shredded leaves, straw, or wood chips work well.
How Much: Spread 2–3 inches of mulch around plants, leaving a small gap around stems to prevent rot.
3. Water Before the Ground Freezes
Give your garden a deep watering before the first hard freeze. This ensures plants go into winter well-hydrated, especially evergreens that lose moisture through their leaves year-round.
4. Protect Vulnerable Plants
Use these techniques to shield delicate plants from frost and harsh winds:
Wrap Trees and Shrubs: Burlap or frost blankets provide insulation.
Create Windbreaks: Place stakes and burlap screens around plants exposed to strong winds.
Cover Perennials: Apply an extra layer of mulch or straw over tender perennials.
5. Prune Selectively
What to Prune: Trim dead or diseased branches from trees and shrubs to prevent damage during winter storms.
What to Leave Alone: Avoid heavy pruning of spring-flowering shrubs like azaleas or rhododendrons, as this can remove buds for next year’s blooms.
6. Divide and Transplant Perennials
Late fall is a great time to divide overgrown perennials or transplant shrubs to new locations. The cooler weather reduces stress on plants, and they’ll have time to establish roots before spring.
7. Add Soil Amendments
Improve your soil during the off-season with these steps:
Compost: Spread a layer of compost to enrich the soil with nutrients.
Lime: If your soil is too acidic (common in Maryland), add lime to balance the pH.
Manure: Well-aged manure can be incorporated to boost organic matter.
8. Protect Garden Tools
Don’t forget to prepare your tools for winter, too!
Clean and dry tools to prevent rust.
Sharpen blades on pruners and shears.
Store tools in a dry, sheltered place.
9. Create Habitat for Wildlife
While cleaning your garden, leave some areas wild to support pollinators and other beneficial wildlife:
Leave Seed Heads: Plants like coneflowers and black-eyed Susans provide food for birds.
Build a Brush Pile: This can serve as a shelter for small animals.
Get Expert Help from Scapers Landscaping
Preparing your garden for winter can be a big job, but it’s worth the effort. If you’d rather leave it to the pros, Scapers Landscaping is here to help! We’ll ensure your garden is winter-ready so it can bounce back beautifully in spring.
Contact us today to schedule your late-fall garden cleanup and winter prep services.
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