The harsh cold temperatures of winter can damage your crops.

Here are a few ways you can prepare your garden for winter.

1. Apply Mulch

Hardy plants will need the least amount of care from you.

A 6-inch thick layer of chopped leaves, straw, roots, or any other organic materials.

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2. Plant the Right Crops

Some plants do well in cooler weather, including but not limited to;

• Lettuce
• Parsley
• Carrots
• Spinach
• Beans
• Beets
• Broad beans
• Cabbage
• Onions
• Peas
• Arugula
• Bok Choy
• Swiss Chard

Planting short-season crops late in the planting season to harvest during winter is a great idea to ensure a continued harvest in winter.

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The size of your garden will determine the number of plants you can get away with growing.

3. Protect Annuals from Frost

Plants that will only survive one season in the garden can't survive the harsh winter temperatures.

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Ornamental kale, blue lobelia, and snapdragons are some plants you want to protect from the elements.

If you also have zinnias, French marigolds, and other warm-season annuals, you should shield them from the freezing chill.

4. Dig Up Your Tender Bulbs

You probably already know that fall is the perfect weather to plant hardy spring-blooming bulbs, but your tender bulbs will not make it through winter.

You can dig them up after frost has browned the leaves to dig them up.

Don't forget to let them dry before bringing them inside.

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5. Take Time to Care for Trees and Shrubs

Your trees and shrubs will have a better chance of making it through winter if they have a good head start.

Make sure to water them abundantly, especially if little rain has fallen.

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After the ground has frozen, you can go over the tree and shrub bases with some organic materials.

This layer will help the plant retain moisture and keep the roots warm.

6. Bundle Up Your Roses

If you have roses growing in your garden, they will need a little tender love and care before winter.

The cooler weather brings with it the plant's dormant phase.

Some rose species are hardier than others, so it is important to know which one you have in your garden.

Make sure to water your roses before the ground freezes and avoid fertilizing them or cutting them.

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You also want to mound up some soil around the base of each rose plant up to about 50cm.

Hybrid tea, floribunda, Grandiflora, and miniature rose bushes need the most attention.

7. Clean Out Dead Plants

Grab a rake and clean out any dead plants and leave any of the healthy plants behind.

Dead plants can harbor disease, fungi, and pests that can attack your new crop.

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8. Amend Your Soil for Spring

Adding manure and compost is a great way to add nutrients to the soil.

Although some people prefer to get this task done in spring, fall is a great time to amend your soil and prepare it for new growth.

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Our Lettuce fertilizer, tomato fertilizer, pepper, and herb fertilizers make the perfect supplement for your plant's health.

9. Take Out Any Weeds

Weeds take up vital nutrients your plants need to survive and thrive through winter.

Take out any weeds roots, and all use a tool to dig them out.

10. Plant Cover Crops

Rye, Vetch, and Clover are great cover crops to plant in late summer or early fall.

These crops play a crucial part in helping prevent soil erosion and break up compacted soil.

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Give your winter vegetables a chance against the biting cold by using our lettuce fertilizer, tomato fertilizer, and pepper & herb fertilizer.