Winterizing My Garden

~ By Lady Kat ~

Winterizing my garden is a two-weekend project.

First, all dead plants are dug up and thrown into the composter. Then most plants are cut back to almost ground level or depending on the plant, I just leave it to dry up on its own.

Rose bushes are partially dug up, laid on their sides in a trench that I have dug approximately 4 inches deep, and then they are watered, covered with soil and mulch.

All garden furniture is cleaned and covered and put under the deck for the duration. All solar lights are cleaned and the batteries removed for storage in the house and each light is put back in its box and put in the shed.

Before putting away my garden tools, I ensure they are cleaned thoroughly and I sharpen all spades and shovels and then they are oiled so as not to rust as we have very humid winters and everything is stored in their proper place in the shed. I do the same with all garden ornaments, meaning I make sure that they are clean before putting them in their boxes and storing.

As I have a Koi pond, which isn't very deep, I need to have a place for them to survive during the winter, so here is what I do:

- End of September, no more chlorine is added daily to the pool

- Mid-October, Koi are taken out of the pond and put in the pool (remember there is no more chlorine in the pool)

- Continue to feed the Koi until end of October or beginning of November, depending on how cool it. Koi do not heed to be feed during the winter as they will eat the debris along the bottom of the pool along with any algae that forms after you stop using the chlorine.

Patio stones are brushed clean of debris and given a thorough cleaning with the pressure washer to ensure no mold or mildew is harbored over the winter.

I also ensure I have plenty of Suet and Bird Seed on hand so that my lovely Cardinals, Blue Jays and wild finches and canaries have a health balanced food supply all during the harsh winter months. On another note, once my Christmas tree is done, I stick it in a snow bank in the back yard which gives shelter to the birds on those windy, freezing days!

         

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