winter-gardenAvid gardeners often do a lot of thumb twiddling this time of year. Winter certainly gives green thumbs a chance to rest but the lack of plants doesn’t mean a lack of things to do. Winter gardening is all about preparation. Getting your garden ready involves cleaning, clearing, pruning and patience. Follow these tips to sculpt your scape into a winter wonderland that will be ribbon-ready come spring.

Snow isn’t your enemy. Sure, frost and snow kill limbs and stems but this isn’t a bad thing. Just like animals, perennial plants hibernate. The worst thing for resting roots is a drastic temperature change. A blanket of snow keeps things at a constant 32 degrees and the soil frozen—so let it lie.

keepdriveandpathsclearWhile snow is good for dirt, make an effort to keep paved surfaces and pathways clear. Nothing ruins your day like a slippery fall in the driveway. For some regions, a sturdy ice scraper is all you need to keep winter weather at bay. Our colder climate friends should invest in some serious equipment. A heavy-duty snow shovel and salt are essential for fighting frozen pathways. Snow blowers are perfect if you have a lot of accumulation. They come in all sizes and can clear a small path or large driveway in a fraction of the time shovelling takes. The time you’ll save alone is worth the purchase.

Before the snow hits, dead plants should be prepped. Insects hibernate. While they are looking for a home, the stems of dead and rotting plants look pretty tempting. Prune grasses down to their base to eliminate infestation. Shrubs and hedges should be pruned normally, but you may want to protect younger plants. The harsh winter winds can damage smaller shrubs. Surrounding them in burlap or a tarpaulin will protect from winter burn keep them fresh for spring. The trunks of young trees should be surrounded by chicken wire to keep nibbling animals away. Soft bark becomes a major food source in the winter months.

Snow makes a good cover, but mulch makes a better one. Mulching your land will keep the soil at a steady temperature and process nutrients back into your dirt. Even though you don’t see any growth in the winter, a lot of subterranean activity is occurring. Bolstering this activity with some extra nutrients will support a lot of growth once spring arrives. All types of mulch are beneficial. The simplest mulch can be made from the debris already in your yard. Collect and shred the fallen leaves, dry stems and evergreen boughs you find. Up to six inches of mulch will be beneficial. Spread it after the soil is frozen to prevent vermin from nesting in it.

Maire blogs on behalf of Sears and other quality brands. She tries to get her home winter-ready as soon as possible and then enjoy the season from inside. Maire likes baking, hall decking and her dachshund puppy.

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