As we head into Fall, it’s important to prepare our gardens to withstand not only the first frost, but also the cold Winter months to come. Overcome your preconceived notions that winter will destroy your garden and check out these gardening tips for Fall.
Timing
The first step to preparing for winter is to understand when the cold is arriving. Be sure to figure out when the first frost date is expected. This will allow you to plan accordingly and have all work done prior to that date.
Select Crops
Now that you know when the first frost is, it can give you time to understand seasonal planting. This can include planting crops in time to mature before the frost. Rather than wasting any garden space, you can replace annuals with cold-weather vegetables. This way you can use your nutrient soil that you’ve been working hard on. If you’re unsure of which crops to plant in your garden, get connected with a Pro today! If you’re new to gardening, check out these gardening tips for beginners.
Prep Soil
The Summer months can bring some intense heat that can dry out your soil. It’s important to keep your soil moist and in the shade if possible. Heading into the cold Winter, it’s ideal to have nutrient dense, moist soil. Which is why Fall is a great time for mulching and composting. Mulch can provide the warmth needed to allow seeds to germinate. Additionally, it can provide the warmth that is missed from the hot, Summer sun.
Tidy Up
Now that your garden is set, it’s time to clean up your gardening tools. Before you store them away for the winter, give them a good wash and scrub down. This can help to extend the longevity of your tools. Be sure to store them in a place that is protected from the outside elements, as they can crack in the cold weather.
Take Notes for Next Year
If this is your first time, or hundredth time, prepping your garden for the winter months it can be super helpful to have a checklist to refer to the following year and years to come. From which plants you removed, replanted, any new plants, soil tips, tool washing, and tool storage, having a checklist and notes will allow you to reflect on what worked and what didn’t come next Fall.
Gardening doesn’t have to be seasonal. With these Fall gardening tips, you can extend your gardening well into the Winter months and all year-round. Check out more Winter gardening tips here. If you need assistance with any gardening tasks this Fall, be sure to get connected with a local, verified Pro at HomeStars.com today.
