It's that time of year again when we need to start thinking about preparing our gardens for the colder months. However, the task of winter prep can leave many with their heads spinning: After all, where should one even start? Fear not, for we have put together the best guide to help you get your garden winter-ready, with a few holiday decoration tips thrown in there for extra measure!
Don't wait until it's too cold to go outside! As soon as your perennials have wilted over and turned yellow or brown, cut them back right to the ground. In addition to keeping your flower beds neat and tidy through the winter, cutting back perennials in the fall helps keep them vibrant and blooming the following season.
If you're a local, you’ll know how much we love our fruit trees here in Fayetteville. Before winter, you'll want to remove any debris, such as old foliage and leaves, gathered around the root ball and trunk of all your fruit trees and berry shrubs, as they can attract fungi and insects that will harm the health of your garden! After you've removed all the debris, apply mulch or pine straw to the root ball to fill in the empty space.
Make the most of your fall and winter gardening by testing your soil before the cold hits. Doing so will help you find and apply whatever your garden needs before going dormant for the winter, helping you beat the spring rush and get a head start on your neighbors!
If during your soil test you discover that its pH balance is out of whack or it's lacking certain nutrients, you should begin amending it immediately. Fortunately, we don't have snow on the ground, so you still have time to till your soil and give it those nutrients it so desperately craves.
Mulch is the multi-purpose garden savior. Mulch or straw serve not only as an aesthetic addition, but also as a vital component to plant health. In the cold months ahead, mulch will provide insulation for the root balls of your plants and shrubs. It is also a good idea to mulch over any perennials you just cut back; after all, cold temperatures are not something you want to expose them to![/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type="none" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" top_margin="10" bottom_margin="10" alignment="center" /]
As we mentioned earlier, it's a good idea to prune back your perennial plants for the winter. But you'll want to be selective in what other plants, trees, and shrubs you decide to cut back for the cold season. As a general rule, you'll want to cut back any dead limbs and foliage from your trees and shrubs before winter. Plants you'll want to give special attention to include:
Trees you'll want to prune before winter include cherry, maple, and birch, though you'll also want to prune your evergreen trees and shrubs to source fresh cuttings for boughs, wreaths, and other decorations during the holiday season! Refrain, however, from pruning certain ornamental winter plants, such as:
Your fresh evergreen cuttings aren't the only natural materials that make for gorgeous winter landscaping decor. Here are a few more handy tips to help you make the most of your garden this holiday season:
If you're looking for even more winter design inspiration for your garden, come visit us at Westwood Gardens in Northwest Arkansas for all your winter decor ideas and needs!
