OCTOBER (^) I NOVEMBER 2017 birdsandblooms.com 21
says. “This keeps the soil
consistently cold even
during a winter thaw.”
It’s also a good idea to
nourish perennials and
annuals by incorporating
compost and shredded
leaves. Newly planted
trees and shrubs are
especially vulnerable in
the winter and need a
little extra attention.
“Protect your garden
from hungry animals
by placing a cylinder of
hardware cloth around
(not touching) the trunk
of young trees and
shrubs,” Melinda says.
“Sink it several inches
into the soil to deter voles,
and make sure it is at least
4-feet tall in order to keep
rabbits away.”
out of the elements. If
you’re worried about the
survival of plants or pots
that must stay outdoors,
wrap them in blankets
or burlap. As an added
measure, surround them
with woodchips or bags
of potting mix to keep the
roots snug and safe from
the elements.
Cover the plant’s
roots, too.“To avoid
frost heaving—when the
freezing and thawing
of the soil shifts and
pushes shallow-rooted
perennials and bulbs
out of the ground—apply
evergreen boughs or
weed-free straw around
your perennial and
bulb plantings after the
ground freezes,” Melinda
DAY TWO:
PLANT & MAINTAIN
Once your landscape
is all cleaned up, get
a jump-start on next
year’s garden and plant
what you can now.
Fall is a great time to
plant trees, shrubs,
perennials and bulbs.
Simply make sure you
get them in the ground
before the soil gets too
cold so roots have time to
become established.
Also use this time to
clean and sharpen garden
tools, disinfect pots and
make necessary repairs
around the landscape.
It will make your spring
prep a breeze!
With a yard that’s been
perfectly prepped for
the winter season, you
can rest easy and cozy
up for the cold months,
dreaming about next
year’s garden.
GO THE
EXTRA MILE
- Divide and transplant
some perennials.
Hostas, peonies and
early bloomers—such
as coral bells, phlox,
poppies and daisies—
benefit from being
thinned out. - If you’re an avid
veggie gardener or
you think your soil will
benefit from a dose of
organic matter, sow a
cover crop to protect
and enrich the soil. - Drain your garden
hose and bring it in
for winter. Wipe it with
a rag to remove any
mud and moisture,
then store it flat in
a dry, dark place.
BE BUDGET SAVVY As the growing season winds down,
garden centers slash their prices. Shop around for bargains
on plants, tools and pots you can put to good use next year.
Use compost
to insulate and
nourish plants
during the cold
winter months.