Hi friends,

It has certainly been a while since I last wrote a blog post. With the garden season winding down I wanted to share ten tips to help wrap up your garden before winter. Over the next few weeks, I will share more gardening topics and recaps over the gardening season that I hope will help or inspire you if you plan on starting a future garden or looking for some tips and ideas.

This year was a successful year overall, even though it presented itself with some challenges which included a dry spell of no rain for weeks, and my health from years of pushing issues on the back burner had finally caught up.

With the lack of rain, we decided to make a rain barrel to collect the rainwater when it did finally rain. To also help hold in moisture we added straw to the garden around the plants and watered from the roots.

As far as my health, I was able to see some wonderful doctors who were able to give us some answers. I am still fatigued but each day I feel my energy improving.

So with all that said, let’s dig in (pun intended)!

This time of year in our zone the evening grows colder and daylight time becomes shorter. So those extended hours of working in the garden have to be adjusted to starting in the garden earlier or working vigorously while making use of the time before the sun disappears.

Here are a few things we do this time of the year to prep our garden for winter and early spring.

Ten Tips to Help You Wrap Up Your Garden For Winter 

1. Remove all Garden Debris Leaving the Roots.

   I have heard mixed opinions on this. Some believe in leaving the stems and letting the garden sleep in for the pollinators. While I encourage helping the pollinators, cleaning up your garden can help to prevent diseases that could not only harm your soil but also bring in unwanted pests. This clean-up can only improve your garden and biodiversity. To help pollinators build habitats or make a pollinator habitat aside from the garden will help pollinators during the cold winter months.

2. Collect Seeds
   

   Fall is an excellent time to collect seeds for next year. If you have not done so yet there may still be time in late October and November to look for any seeds to collect for the next year before they fall to the ground. This can save you from having to purchase more seeds the following year.
   Our DIY Seed Cleaner has been a huge help and time saver!
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_HReCPrYCU

3. Plant Cool Crops, Garlic, and Bulbs. Cover with Frost Cloth
   

   Gardening season doesn’t have to come to an end completely. In our zone, you can still grow cool weather crops if you keep them covered with frost cloth. Be sure to check your growing zone. Now is also a great time to plant bulbs such as daffodils, Hyacinths, and tulips. You can plant anytime as long as the ground/soil is still workable. If you planted dahlias or elephant ears check your zone to see if these need to be dug up now and stored. 

4. Soil Test
   

   One secret to healthy soil is knowing what it is lacking and what your needs are after a growing season. October-November is a great time to ask your extension office to help you find a soil testing lab.
   

5. Weeding
   

   Now is a great time to get rid of weeds before they go to seed and spread in the Spring.

6. Cover Crops
   

   Another secret to healthy soil is keeping the soil covered during the winter months and not bare. I have tried two methods so far and will be trying another this year too. Keeping your soil covered will keep the soil protected from winter elements such as soil erosion and nutrient runoff. Planting cover crops can only feed the soil to increase organic matter, suppress weeds, increase nutrients and moisture in your soil and so many more benefits. The only downfall with planting cover crops is putting in the time to plant the crops during harvest season. Another alternative is using organic mulch such as undiseased wood chips, bark, straw, and grass clippings. Leaves are also another alternative, however, we were not that impressed with the results of the following gardening season.
   

7. Turn and Cover Compost.
   

   If you are not composting now may be a great time to consider adding a location dedicated to it for next year. Building up compost over the year will be very beneficial to your garden in late fall or early Spring depending on when you choose to spread on your garden. Healthy un-diseased garden debris and pest-free material can go into the compost this time of year.  To keep snow or rain from falling onto your compost over the winter keep it covered with a tarp or leaves. During the cold season, the decomposition of the organic matter will slow down chopping material more, and keeping compost covered will help keep compost warm and active.
   

8. Clean and Disinfect Pots and Planters. Sharpen and Oil Tools
   

   This step will have you prepared and ready for the next growing season.
   

9. Gather up Soaker Hoses, Irrigation, and Drain Hoses
   

   Keep your water scourses protected by gathering them up and inspecting them for any damage. Clean off any dirt and store in a dry place. Storing hoses in the winter will help prevent hoses from cracking or becoming brittle.

10. Journal
    

    Finally, now is a great time while your gardening season is fresh in your mind to journal what did and did not work this year. What plants did well and which plants did not do so well? What challenges did you experience and what did you do? Take this time to relax with your favorite mug and a hot beverage to reflect and write all this down while it is fresh in your mind for next year’s notes.
    

Following these steps will have you and your garden ready for a new growing season. I hope these tips help you on your garden journey. Feel free to tag us on social media as you clean and prep your garden for the new year.

Thanks, friends!

Keep Going, and Keep Growing!