8 Essential Garden Tasks to Tackle Before Winter Sets In

As winter nears, your gardening activities may slow down or halt entirely. Yet, preparing your garden for the cold is crucial. “Taking a few proactive measures can safeguard your garden and home from winter’s harsh effects,” says Joseph Wade, VP of operations at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. He emphasizes that these steps can prevent expensive repairs and ensure your garden thrives come spring.

Here are the key actions required to winterize your garden effectively.

How to Winterize Your Garden

Disconnect Hoses and Shut Off Outdoor Faucets

Before the cold sets in, ensure all garden hoses are detached from outdoor faucets. “Hoses retaining water can freeze, causing ice to form and potentially damage your home’s plumbing,” warns Wade. Turning off outdoor faucets helps prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.

Winterize Your Sprinkler System

For gardens equipped with a sprinkler system, winterizing is essential. Wade recommends turning off the water supply by closing the main valve. Depending on your system, you may need to manually drain each valve or rely on automatic draining, which removes water from the pipes once the main valve is shut.

“To finish the process, activate one sprinkler head, open the valves to drain leftover water, and wrap exposed pipes or heads with foam covers or insulation tape,” advises Wade.

Remove Dead Leaves and Debris

“Now is the perfect time to clear out dead leaves and debris from your garden,” says Lori Johnson, president of The Grounds Guys, a Neighborly company. She recommends raking and removing fallen leaves to avoid suffocating the grass.

Susan McIntosh, president of Lawn Pride, another Neighborly company, also emphasizes the importance of clearing dead leaves and debris. “A dense layer of leaves can obstruct sunlight and retain moisture, promoting mold and other diseases,” she explains. Regarding disposal, McIntosh adds, “We encourage composting whenever it’s feasible.”

Cover Delicate Plants

Johnson also suggests shielding delicate plants using burlap or frost barrier fabric to prevent damage from freezing temperatures.

Add or Refresh the Mulch

Before the ground freezes, Johnson recommends replenishing or adding mulch to your flower beds and borders. “A layer of two to four inches of mulch, bark, straw, or leaves helps insulate the soil, minimizing root damage caused by the freeze-thaw cycle,” she explains.

Prune Your Plants, Trees, and Shrubs

“Pruning enhances plant health by encouraging the growth of new, robust branches, flowers, and fruit,” says Johnson. She notes that it also helps prevent pests and animals from nesting in your landscaping, which can cause significant damage.

Continue to Mow Until Grass Growth Slows

To maintain a tidy garden area, keep mowing the grass. “Lower the mower deck by one setting for the final cut of the season,” suggests McIntosh.

However, she cautions against cutting the grass too short, as it may stress the lawn. “Additionally, avoid letting the grass grow too long, as it can flatten and create conditions that encourage disease, mold, and dead patches,” McIntosh adds.

Aerate the Soil

A core aeration application is something you can do yourself or hire a professional for. “This process reduces soil compaction, enabling oxygen, water, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots,” explains McIntosh. For those in the northern U.S., she notes that early fall is the ideal time for lawn aeration, as it encourages root development during the winter.