When the last leaves fall, the garden is preparing for winter rest, but the work on it is far from over. Right now is the moment when you can help your plants survive the cold months and prepare them for a strong spring start.
The garden looks peaceful at the end of autumn, but there is still something going on under the surface that is essential for the next season. The roots work, the soil organisms remain active, and the plants prepare for the period when they will be dependent on and moisture. After the last harvest and after the perennials have lost their last colors, it is high time to give them the protection and care that will determine their condition next year.
The work in the garden does not end with the arrival of winter. Quite the opposite. Watch the video to find out what else you need to do in November to get your garden ready for the cold winter months:
The most important work after the leaves fall
As soon as the trees and bushes are free of leaves, it is necessary to start with the final cleaning of the beds. Removing the remains of annuals and diseased plants will prevent the spread of diseases and at the same time relieve the soil, which can thus breathe better. It is good to rake leaves from the lawn, but it can serve as a valuable insulating layer in flower bedswhich will protect the roots from sudden temperature fluctuations.
Pay close attention to perennials and vegetable beds. Healthy leaves and aerial parts of perennials can be left as they provide shelter for small animals and retain moisture in the soil. It is advisable to enrich vegetable beds with compost or leaf litter before winter. Mulch will help keep the soil warmer and slow down freezing, making it possible to harvest root vegetables for longer.
If you grow cold-sensitive plants, you should give them protection even before the first frost. Light non-woven fabrics or simple covers can be used. Watering before the arrival of frost is equally important: moist soil freezes much more slowly.
How to protect plants over winter
The basis of success is proper insulation. However, fallen leaves, which would be harmful on the lawn, can represent perfect protection for flower beds. If you crush the leaves, they will decompose faster and act as a natural fertilizer. Leaflet is one of the easiest and most effective ways to promote root health.
More sensitive plants, such as roses or young shrubs, will also appreciate a higher layer of leaves or compost around the trunk. It pays to create simple cages made of mesh, into which you simply pour the insulating material. And remember that in a vegetable garden, mulch can extend the season by several weeks, which is especially useful for cabbage, spinach or root vegetables.
Not just for plants
However, flower beds are not only for plants. The remains of leaves and stems provide shelter for insects and other beneficial animals during the winter. Caring for the garden is not only about cleaning, but also about how to support it as a whole. Surprisingly, keeping some of nature’s clutter can be far more beneficial to your garden than perfectly clean beds.
Autumn treatment of plants thus represents the last great opportunity to prepare the garden for winter. Proper insulation, frost protection and addition of compost or mulch are simple steps that will make it easier for the plants to survive and ensure a richer harvest and more beautiful flower beds next year. And know that your garden will pay you back many times over for all the care you take during the spring and summer.
