Not necessarily a set routine but just the term most used to refer to all the odds and ends to take care of as we wrap up another harvest season.
Clearing out the vegetable garden before the winter is an important task – Removing the plants and debris from your garden prevents build-up of diseases and harmful insects. Most foliage can be put into the composter or green bin.
Compost and Cover Crop – Cover areas that are not planted with a layer of partially or fully decomposed compost or mulch.
Plant a cover crop for the winter to introduce nutrients back into the soil. Although there are a number of options, common cover crops are rye, clover or buckwheat.
Tool Time – Tune up your tools before putting them into winter storage.
Proper care can give you tools that last for a long time.
Perennials
Clean Up and Cut Back – After temperatures hit freezing and the plants die back, cut the stems on most perennials to within an inch or two of the ground. Dispose of the cuttings; they can harbor diseases that could survive the winter and return to the plants in the spring.
Mulch – As the weather becomes colder, mulch the soil around the plants. This is generally done in mid-to late November. Mulch keeps roots cold. It doesn’t protect them from the cold. The alternate freezing and thawing of exposed soil can damage roots and even heave them out of the ground. Recommended mulching materials for perennials include leaves, hay or straw, evergreen boughs, pine needles and cornstalks. These mulches are light and won’t pack or suffocate roots.
By performing these few simple tasks, you can wrap up the growing season on a high note. Come spring, you’ll be glad that your garden is clean and ready for a new season.
— Debra Thompson