As fall winds down and you are enjoying the final rewards of your fall harvest, it’s important to take steps to winterize your garden. Here are some tips for fall garden clean up and ways to prepare your vegetable garden for next year.
Remove and Compost Dead Produce
Remove all dead vegetation. Keep in mind that some diseases and pests can overwinter on foliage and fruit left in the garden so it’s important to remove all dead plant material and any rotten fruit or vegetables. Any healthy vegetation can be used for compost, but if your plants have mildew, mold, or blight, it’s best to dispose or burn it to avoid spreading it to your compost pile.
Add Fresh Compost and Topsoil to all Beds
Once the plants have been removed, add a layer of compost and topsoil to bury spores from diseased plants and suppress weeds, and to bring soil level up that might have compacted. Usually a 1-2-inch layer of finished compost is about right.
You can also add mulch to the soil surface to help regulate soil temperatures and moisture and ease the transition into winter. A thick layer of mulch around root vegetables left in the garden for your fall and winter harvest can also buffer against hard frosts and prolong your crop. And as the mulch breaks down it incorporates fresh organic material into your soil.
Winterize Your Irrigation System
Shut off and drain the system. You may need to shut off the main water supply and remove the faucet assembly (timer, filter, pressure regulator, etc.). Then drain and bring these components indoors to protect them from freezing.
Blow out irrigation lines to prevent damage from frozen lines. One method is to blow out the lines using compressed air. This is a time saving and effective method. Be sure to remove end fittings before blowing out the lines to avoid damaging the irrigation system. After the lines have drained, make sure to replace all end fittings. Leave end caps loose to allow for draining throughout the winter.
Make Repairs
Take this time to repair any damage to your garden boxes or fencing so you are ready for spring.
Consider a Hoop Structure
Consider a hoop house or hoop structure if you want to extend the gardening season with some winter gardening. A hoop house is a fabric hoop structure to enclose garden and protect from cold and frost. The supports are bent around the top of the garden raised beds, creating a dome-like space inside. This shape holds up the cover material. Some hoop houses are retractable, providing easy access to your plants.
Yard2Kitchen provides all of these winterization services as part of their maintenance plan. If you are interested in learning more about our garden construction, planting and maintenance services, please Contact Us.
Resources:
https://learn.eartheasy.com/articles/ten-ways-to-prepare-your-garden-for-winter