A Proper Garden Closing
How you close your garden for winter impacts how it performs next spring. A thorough end-of-season routine prevents pests and diseases from overwintering, protects soil, and makes spring planting smoother.
Complete Cleanup
Remove all plant debris. Dead material can harbor pests and disease. Pull up annual vegetables roots and all. Compost only healthy material. Bag diseased plants for the trash.
Soil Care for Winter
After cleanup, spread 1-2 inches of compost over beds. Plant a winter cover crop or cover bare soil with shredded leaves. Soil left bare loses nutrients to erosion and leaching over winter.
Tool Maintenance
Fall is perfect for cleaning and storing tools. Scrub dirt, sharpen blades, oil wooden handles, and store in a dry place. Drain and coil hoses before freezing. Good tool care saves money and frustration.
Plan for Next Season
Review your garden journal and note what worked. Draw a garden map and plan crop rotation. Order seeds early. The Personal Harvest Helper app will help you plan and execute next season with personalized guidance.
Enjoy the Off-Season
Read gardening books, attend workshops, and connect with other gardeners. Winter is also great for indoor projects like a windowsill herb garden or building new raised beds. The gardener's work is never truly done.