Maintaining a garden is one of the most rewarding warm-weather activities. When winter comes, you want to make sure your plants survive until spring, and the staff at Northgate Greenhouses in Cincinnati, OH, has a few tips to help you prepare. Their award-winning team members are experts on a variety of plants, and with their advice, you can rest assured your garden will be ready to blossom again when the warm temperatures return.

How to Prepare Your Garden for the Upcoming Winter

1. Clean

When winter is over, you want your garden in perfect shape to begin growing again. To ensure this happens, take time to clean it thoroughly at the end of fall. Remove any dead plants, trim dead leaves or branches, and pluck out weeds. In especially cold regions, the ground will freeze, which is beneficial for killing pests and diseases. However, this can also harm your plants. To avoid this, spread a layer of compost over your garden bed and add a light layer of mulch on top. This will keep healthy vegetation protected.

2. Pare, Plant, & Water

Every type of plant needs special care going into winter. Perennials, for example, should be trimmed so energy is stored in the roots. Shrubs need heavy watering before the ground freezes as well as fertilizer if they’re younger. You can also begin preparing for spring growth by planting bulbs three inches below the soil. 

3. Harvest & Replace

If you have vegetables, most won’t survive the cold weather, so it’s best to harvest them in the fall. Root crops, such as potatoes, can stay as long as you add a fresh layer of mulch on top of them. Summer crops that are allowed to remain, such as peppers, should be covered with a specialized blanket, which you can find at most gardening stores.

For assistance in keeping your garden healthy through the winter, turn to Northgate Greenhouses. The greenhouse has been growing beautiful plants since 1920, and they will help your flowers and shrubs thrive throughout the year. Call (513) 729-1134 today to speak with their staff, and visit their website and Facebook to browse their products.