Prepare Your Garden for Winter: Planting, Fertilizing, and Protecting
Autumn is here, and it's time to prepare our gardens for the upcoming winter. From planting bulbs to protecting plants, here are some essential tasks to ensure a vibrant spring.
Start by planting cold-hardy bulbs like tulips, hyacinths, or daffodils before the first frost. These will bloom beautifully in the spring. Additionally, consider sowing frost-hardy plants such as Aquilegia (columbine), winterhardy salad varieties like lamb's lettuce, and winter heath plants (Calluna and Erica carnea). Aquilegia is not picky and can be sown in late summer or early autumn. Lamb's lettuce tolerates temperatures down to -15°C and is ideal for early September sowing, providing a winter harvest. Winter heath blooms from November to April and thrives in normal garden soil rich in humus.
Fertilize your lawn with an autumn-specific fertilizer, low in nitrogen and high in potassium, to promote slower growth and better frost protection. Use fleece to shield sensitive plants from frost. Prune hedges and shrubs by removing only dead wood to prevent snow damage and maintain healthy branches for insulation and nutrient uptake. Apply frost protection to vegetable beds using mulch, twigs, or fleece.
Regularly remove leaves from the lawn to prevent yellow patches, root rot, and pest breeding. Continue mowing until early November, ensuring the grass isn't cut shorter than five centimeters for the last cut to make it more resilient. Finally, move potted plants that can't withstand freezing temperatures into a winter shelter.
By following these autumn garden care tips, you're ensuring a colorful spring bloom and protecting your plants from harsh winter conditions. From planting bulbs to providing frost protection, each task plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy and vibrant garden.
