Winter leaves most gardeners itching for spring blooms. While there isn't much to accomplish outdoors during the colder months, some of the most important steps in cultivating a successful spring garden begin in mid to late fall. As the garden center specialists at Sunnyside Greenhouse in Quaker City, OH, explain, winter preparation is as easy as 1-2-3.

3 Tips to Prepare Your Garden for Winter

1. Remove Dead Plants & Foliage

The first step is removing annuals and dead or dying flowers and shrubs. During this process, also look for early signs of disease to identify potential threats to your spring growth, and remove fallen leaves from the garden bed. While this step creates an aesthetically pleasing finish, it also eliminates a food source for unwanted pests. Dead foliage is easily utilized for mulching purposes, but it's vital that you dispose of any diseased plants to prevent soil contamination.

2. Prune Perennials

Fall is also the ideal time for pruning most perennials. Cutting back leaves and flowers before winter encourages optimal growth when spring arrives. However, some species are better left intact during the colder months. Check with your garden center specialist to identify which plants need fall pruning to avoid causing serious damage.

3. Protect the Soil

The precipitation levels and bitter temperatures of winter increase the risk of erosion. Fortunately, adding a protective layer to the surface is enough to reduce runoff and help maintain the ground temperatures. Plant a cover crop such as radishes or rye in September so that it has time to grow before the first frost. The radishes loosen the soil and rye is an excellent source of nitrogen when you work it into the soil in the spring. Give it some time to break down and you will have beautiful soil.  You can also add peat to the soil beforehand for increased nutrients and moisture. A few simple steps in fall will keep your garden happy and healthy through the winter months. 

Sunnyside Greenhouse, a family owned and operated business since 1996 is a seasonal business. Beginning in February they tenderly nuture thousands of plugs and seedlings to make your garden fruitful and colorful. Retail season is April – June.