As the growing season winds down, there are some last-minute chores that need to be done to ensure a healthy -- and easier -- spring garden:
Plant bulbs. You won't have the instant gratification of seeing your garden perk up immediately, but after a long, mostly colorless winter, you'll be happy you made the effort. Snowdrops and winter aconites will be the first to reward you, in early March, and they'll be closely followed by crocuses and chionodoxas, and then daffodils, hyacinths and tulips. The beginning of November is ideal bulb-planting time here in zone 7a, but you can continue to do so until the ground freezes. See the Spring Bulbs 101 entry for details.
Mulch garden beds, but not until later in the month when plants are dormant, to prevent damage from freezing cycles. Use no more than 3 inches of mulch -- over-mulching holds in too much moisture and will lead to rot.
Vegetables After harvesting the last of your garden's offerings, clear out the beds and till the soil.
Roses Clear fallen leaves out of the area and protect rose bushes by mounding soil up around the bases of canes. If you experienced black spot or other leaf diseases this year, it's especially important to remove any plague-carrying debris from the bed. Secure canes with twine to protect them from wind damage. Click here for expert advice on winterizing roses.
Gear Remove caked-on soil from tools and then rinse clean with a shot of the hose. Dip each in a bleach and water solution, or dry first and then spray with a disinfectant spray such as Lysol. When dry, treat with WD-40 or rub with an oiled rag to prevent rust. Store in a dry place, such as a garage, crawl space or garden shed.
Trees. Wrap the trunks of recently planted young trees with wire mesh or plastic wrap to protect them from hungry rodents over the winter.
Leave spent perennials in the garden to provide interest during the winter months. Remember, one man's dead plants are another's dried flowers. Seed heads and dry stems keep the garden from looking barren during the off months and feed birds that were too lazy to take the journey south, helping them make it through the harsh season.
Cut the grass until it goes to sleep. Then give it a nice dose of fertilizer (around Thanksgiving) and set the alarm for spring.
Stack the firewood, batten down the hatches and rest. You'll be digging and hauling and planting again before you know it.
