As the weather begins to get colder, the ground temperatures begin to change. Did you know that rapid freezing and thawing can cause problems to some garden plants and can invite unwanted pests into your garden?

Here are some tips to help you prepare your garden for fall and winter.

FALL CLEAN UP

Remove old plants and over growth. This is important since old decaying plants can produce fungus. Removing the plants also removes insect eggs or unwanted pests that could hide in the stalks and leaves during winter.

Fall is also a good time to clear out any invasive weeds in your garden. This will help eliminate their return in spring.

APPLY MULCH

Applying mulch in the winter has some of the same benefits as applying mulch in the summer months. As the mulch breaks down in the winter months, the nutrients are absorbed into the ground creating a nutrient rich soil for spring!

 The mulch helps regulate the temperature of the soil and moisture by insulating the plants. This is especially important for winter crops like garlic, onions, and asparagus which need to establish roots in the winter.

Applying mulch to your garden pathways not only makes your garden look neat and tidy, it also helps controls soil erosion, water runoff and keeps the mud to a minimum.