12 ways to prep your garden for winter

by Robert Paul

Although there are still a few warm fall days in the forecast, don’t fool yourself: before you know it, Old Man Winter will arrive. Will you (and your garden) be ready to handle whatever he throws your way?

To help you prepare for the snow and bitter cold to come, here’s a list of 12 things to do in and around your garden before winter shows up.

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There are plenty of good reasons to add mulch to your garden. In summer, it keeps soil temperatures cool and saves water. In winter, it helps to shield dormant plants from damage caused by bitterly cold weather. It’s like a warm hug for your garden.

Like to know more? A guide to mulching gardens for winter protection

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Shrubs are like the workhorses of the gardening world, providing texture and variety practically year-round. To shield your shrubs from extreme cold, especially the freezing winds that do the most damage, you’ll want to give them a sturdy shelter. Here’s how.

Like to know more? How to best protect tender shrubs in winter

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The beauty of container plants is in their talent for dressing up almost any outdoor space, from poolside to patios. While some of your favourite container plants can be salvaged and stored for winter, others won't survive and should be dumped. But which ones? And how?

Like to know more? What to do with container plants before winter arrives

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Caring for your lawn doesn’t end with mowing it one last time in fall. To set the stage for a healthy start next season and ensure your lawn grows lush and green, you should fertilize it – just don’t go overboard. Here’s some advice for feeding your lawn that won’t harm it.

Like to know more? 3 fertilizing tips to make a good lawn better

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Among the best things about growing perennials is they’re easy to divide and a joy to share, whether you want more for your garden or to give away as gifts. For many varieties of perennials, fall is the best time to divide them, ensuring a riot of colour next year.

Like to know more? 5 practical pointers for dividing perennials

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Part of preparing for winter involves planning for next season’s gardening needs. For avid gardeners, this includes having lots of nutrient-rich compost on hand the moment the weather starts warming up again. Will your compost pile be ready for spring? Or will you get left behind?

Like to know more? 5 can't-miss tips for successful winter composting

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Any gardener worth their weight in compost knows garden tools are an extension of your hands. That’s why they’ll tell you it’s worthwhile paying a bit more for sturdy tools that will last a long time, but even more important to take care of them before storing them for the season.

Like to know more? 4 tips to select and care for your garden tools

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Most of us don't have the luxury of a large shed. And why put away tools if they’ll simply get lost in the clutter, never to be found again in spring? That’s why organizing your shed before winter to keep your tools, accessories and garden chemicals dry and safe is a must!

Like to know more? 8 simple ways to organize your garden shed

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Good-quality patio furniture will last for years, but can also cost a bundle. To get the best value for your money, it’s vital that you tend to patio furniture before packing it away. This means taking steps to protect it in fall before the worst of the Canadian weather sets in.

Like to know more? How to look after patio furniture in winter

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Among the many joys of gardening is creating a sanctuary for wildlife to visit. A good way to keep wild birds flocking to your yard instead of heading south for winter is by ensuring your bird feeder is always full of treats. Here are three favourites wild birds love.

Like to know more? 3 wintertime treats that wild birds love

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When to comes to mowers, out of sight means out of mind. That is until you can’t get it started again in spring. However, a few minutes of year-end care (and these seven tips) will keep your mower in tip-top shape, ready to roar back to life with the first tug of the starting cord.

Like to know more? 7 ways to keep your lawn mower in tip-top shape

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Did your garden yield blue-ribbon veggies? Were the flowers you planted as breathtaking as hoped? Take heart. Not everything you grow will be a wild success; however, fall is a time to see what flourished, what failed, and figure out how you can choose “better” next year.

Like to know more? 9 ideas for choosing what flowers and veggies to plant

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