How To Prepare Your Garden For Winter
As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, it's time to start preparing for winter gardening. Taking the necessary steps to winterize your garden will help protect your plants and ensure they thrive when spring arrives. In this post, we will discuss some steps to take, as well as introduce you to plants that survive well during the winter months.
3. Protect Trees, Shrubs And Tender Plants
Need some more tips on how to prepare for winter gardening? Gauld Nurseries can help! Our family-owned and operated business has been proudly serving the Niagara region and beyond since 1950. Come talk to our knowledgeable staff today!
Winter Gardening: A Step-by-Step Guide
Prepare Your Garden for the Cold Months Ahead
Winter is approaching. But just because colder weather is coming, that doesn’t mean you should completely neglect your garden! As with every other season, there are still steps you should take.
To ensure your garden thrives come spring, it's time to take essential winterization steps. Protect your plants and prepare for the colder months ahead by following these winter gardening tips:
1. Clean Up Debris
What’s the first step you take when cleaning your house? Tidying up! Your lawn and garden should be the same. Damp, decaying debris can create the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. Removing it can help prevent these issues.
Prepare for winter gardening and:
Remove fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris from your garden to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering.
Rake up leaves and compost them or add them to your mulch pile.
Clean your garden tools and store them away from the elements.
2. Prepare Shrubs and Trees
Once you’ve tidied up the bulk of your lawn, it’s time to work on your plants. After all, you don’t want all of your hard work to go to waste and be unable to enjoy your greenery in the seasons to come.
Removing weak or damaged branches can help reduce the risk of winter damage from heavy snow or ice. You’ll want to:
Prune back dead or damaged branches on shrubs and trees.
Remove any diseased or infested plant material to prevent the spread of problems.
If you are pruning back your evergreens, consider saving some branches to use for holiday decor!
Gauld Nurseries offers several holiday workshops which will teach you how to create stunning planters, ornaments and more!
Raking leaves and adding them to your mulch pile is an essential part of winter gardening.
3. Protect Trees, Shrubs And Tender Plants
You’ve pruned and tidied your plants - now it’s time to protect them for the season ahead. Protecting shrubs in winter is crucial to ensure their health and survival as sudden temperature fluctuations can damage delicate plant tissues.
You’ll need to:
Cover tender plants or bring them indoors if they can't withstand freezing temperatures.
Use row covers, burlap, or cardboard to protect plants from frost.
Wrap young or vulnerable trees and shrubs with burlap or bubble wrap to protect them from harsh winter conditions.
Stake tall plants to prevent them from being damaged by wind or snow.
4. Mulch Your Garden Beds
Did you know? Mulch helps moderate soil temperature, keeping it cooler in summer and warmer in winter. This protects plant roots from extreme temperatures and encourages healthy growth. For winter gardening you should:
Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to help retain moisture, protect roots from frost, and suppress weeds.
Use organic mulch, such as wood chips or leaves, to enrich the soil as it decomposes.
You should mulch just after the first frost to insulate your plants before the ground freezes.
To prepare for winter gardening, use organic mulch like wood chips or leaves to enrich your soil as it decomposes.
5. Winterize Containers
Containerized plants are more susceptible to frost damage as their roots are exposed to colder temperatures. Frozen soil can damage the roots and prevent water uptake while cold, dry winter winds can quickly dry out the soil in containers. You should:
Bring potted plants indoors or move them to a sheltered location.
Protect the roots of potted plants by wrapping them in bubble wrap or insulating materials.
Put your smaller pots into larger ones for added insulation.
Water less frequently during winter, but ensure the soil doesn't dry out completely.
Ensure your containers have adequate drainage to prevent waterlogging
6. Winterize Your Lawn
Winterizing helps your lawn develop a deeper and stronger root system. This allows it to better withstand harsh winter conditions, absorb nutrients, and recover more quickly in the spring.
A healthy lawn is better equipped to resist diseases and pests. Winterizing helps strengthen your lawn's immune system, reducing the risk of damage. Make sure you:
Mow your lawn to a height of 2-3 inches before the first hard frost.
Rake up any fallen leaves or debris to prevent damage to your lawn.
Consider applying a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds from germinating in the spring.
Turn off your watering systems to prevent damage from frost.
Make sure watering systems such as hoses and sprinklers are properly drained to prevent damage.
7. Winter-Hardy Plants
Ontario's winters can be harsh, but with the right plant choices, you can enjoy a beautiful garden year-round.
A winter hardy plant is a plant that can withstand cold winter temperatures and harsh weather conditions. These plants are adapted to survive freezing temperatures, snow, and ice.
Key factors that determine a plant's winter hardiness:
Plant species: Different plant species have varying levels of cold tolerance.
Climate zone: The specific climate zone where the plant is grown influences its hardiness.
Plant age and health: Younger plants are generally more susceptible to cold damage than older, established plants.
Soil conditions: Well-drained soil helps prevent root rot and frost heaving.
Here are some popular winter-hardy plants that thrive in Ontario's climate:
Evergreens
Evergreens are plants that retain their foliage throughout the year, unlike deciduous plants that lose their leaves seasonally. They provide year-round color and structure to landscapes.
Evergreens are a well-known hardy-winter plant with varieties such as:
Conifers: Pines, spruces, firs, and cedars are excellent choices for evergreen landscapes.
Broadleaf evergreens: Rhododendrons, azaleas, and holly are examples of broadleaf evergreens that can withstand Ontario's winters.
Groundcovers: Low-growing evergreens like junipers retain their needles year-round and are an attractive addition to your garden.
Pine.
Holly.
Shrubs
Shrubs are woody plants that typically have multiple stems growing from the ground level. They are smaller than trees, usually reaching a height of less than 10 feet. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen.
Many shrubs can handle cold winter temperatures including:
Witch Hazel: Known for its medicinal and cosmetic uses.
Hydrangea: Offers a variety of colours and can bloom in both spring and summer.
Spirea: A versatile shrub with a range of bloom colours and growth habits.
Witch Hazel.
Hydrangea.
Perennials
Perennials are plants that live for more than two years. They die back in the winter but return year after year, making them a popular choice for gardeners who want long-lasting and low-maintenance plants.
Perennials suitable for winter gardening are:
Lavender: A fragrant and low-maintenance perennial that attracts pollinators.
Black-eyed Susans: A classic perennial with cheerful yellow flowers and a dark center.
Hostas: Shade-loving perennials with attractive foliage and flowers.
Black-eyed Susan.
Hosta.
Remember to choose plants that are suitable for your specific growing conditions, such as sunlight, soil type, and moisture levels.
For more information and personalized recommendations for winter gardening, visit Gauld Nurseries, your local gardening experts.
Gauld Nurseries - For All Your Winter Gardening Needs
A family tradition since 1950, Gauld Nurseries offers a unique botanical experience nestled within the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. Discover our meticulously curated gardens and explore a world of vibrant plants.
Contact us and learn more how to prepare for winter gardening.
Hear From Our Customers
“Our family wants to give a big thanks to “Gauld Nurseries Ltd.” for the project in Ridgeway. We are enamoured with our new garden, patio and flower beds. It really makes our new house feel like home. We’d like to thank Thomas and Dylan for their hard work. We would like to express special gratitude to Alexandra Beaver, the manager of the project for her professionalism, patience and friendly attitude to the clients.”
