Shutting Down Your Garden for the Winter

Last week, we had a discussion about closing down the cottage for winter, including various steps, small things to keep in mind, and the potential costs associated. Many of the outdoor activities we enjoy were not designed to withstand the harsh Canadian winters that await us following each summer. Of course, our gardens are no exception. Some garden flowers, trees, furniture, and décor were designed for summer enjoyment and stand no chance in freezing temperatures. Today, we will be talking about the various things to keep in mind for preparing your garden as the cold weather approaches.?

Experts recommend only growing plants that are suitable to your climate. Canadian climates change drastically from season to season, so it is essential to do research on what is viable here. Also, it is important to be aware of what happens to some plants when temperatures drop. First, according to Envii UK, any water the plants can access freeze inside their cells, causing them to expand and possibly causing permanent damage even after winter. Also, freezing temperatures can damage plant enzymes that are responsible for nutrient intake. A problem many gardens face is the survival of plants as the ground freezes. This is likely to cause your plants to dehydrate, and also likely leading to permanent damage. So, one thing gardeners can do is ensure plants have enough water supply. To achieve this, water your plants as often as you can until the soil starts to freeze. Family Handyman reminds us that the air is colder than the soil, so your plants will be likely to stay hydrated and nourished for longer. Family Handyman also tells us to mulch before and after the temperature reaches freezing. Mulching your garden insulates the roots of your plants from the freezing air, trapping some moisture to hydrate plants without causing freezing. Some plants that are unable to survive the cold can be dug up and stored with peat moss.?

In addition, gardeners can take this time to use compost. Learn Earth Easy says that compost accumulated over the summer can add nutrients to both the soil and plants, can fertilize lawns, and will help growth over the course of the winter. Compost can also be used to insulate plants and roots during extreme temperatures. Leaves that have fallen during autumn can be used in combination or in replacement of compost and mulch, as they contain nutrients and have insulating abilities.?

In addition to the plants in your garden, your lawn also needs to be protected. Canada’s Garden Land suggests that mowing every 10 days will help prevent fungus from growing when snow suffocates the surface and traps moisture. Before snowfall, it is also important for the lawn to be cleared of any debris, such as fallen leaves. Some leaves can be good, as they provide some nutrients, but a layer too thick can cause suffocation. Fertilizer is also recommended for nutrition. Finally, Canada’s Garden Land also recommends aeration prior to winter. This aids essentials – water, air, and nutrients – in reaching roots.

Part of the winterization process involves taking care of your tools. As with the plants themselves, water can be an enemy. Rust will impact the functioning of your tools and ultimately lead to a shorter useful life. For rakes, shovels and such, make sure that your tools are clean when stored and to the extent possible bring them in from direct exposure to the elements. Whether they are in a garage or a backyard shed, the trick is to ensure that they stay dry rather than warm.

Gas powered tools require a bit more work. This should be a task that most reasonably handy people can tackle, but if you’re in doubt a professional can help. Cleaning is still key, especially the undercarriage of a mower where grass can attract moisture. While you’re there, it is a good time to sharpen the blade so that it is ready for spring. Oil the moving parts such are the blade rotor and wheel bearings. It is best to empty the gas and run the tool dry. The ambitious and diligent will change the oil (for 4 cycle engines), air filter and spark plug at this point as well. These steps apply to most gas-powered tools such as trimmers, blowers and mowers. Of course, any combustibles must be stored safely.

Electric battery powered tools are tricky. Ideally, to prolong the life of a battery you need to use it regularly, however, this is not practical in Canada. The next best thing is to disconnect it from the tool and store it in a cool, dry place. Leaving it outside to freeze will damage the battery. The terminal connections should be covered to avoid accidental shorts or corrosion. While there is debate as to whether it should be stored fully charged, the consensus is that it should not be left to fully discharge, but never be left connected to its charger. The steps for cleaning are the same as for the gas-powered options, however, terminal connection need to be covered and protected..

Hoses can now be disconnected and drained. Storing them inside and out of the elements is beneficial, but the key is to make sure that they have been drained of water. At this point you will shut off the water valve inside the house that feeds any outside connections. You will then need to drain the pipes by doing two things. Open the outside faucet and allow all of the water to drain. There is debate here, but we suggest that you then close the faucet. Inside you will find the bleeder valve and allow that to drain the remaining water from the pipes. Faucet covers are also available and are beneficial extra precaution.

Shutting down your garden for the winter is fairly inexpensive. Most additional costs include water, fertilizer, mulch, and aeration tools. For example, an aerator from the hardware store can cost around $100, depending on the type. Overall, the benefits of saving your garden from the harsh winters far outweigh any costs associated, as many plants and garden structures suffer permanent damage.?