WINTERIZING YOUR GARDEN
1.Plant spring-blooming bulbs such as tulips & daffodils. Plant them any time from September in cooler regions through December in warmer climates.
2. Rake leaves and dispose of them, perferably in a compost heap. Failing to rake leaves can result in a dying or diseased lawn.
3. Pull up any annual flowers or vegetables felled by frost. Dispose of these in the compost heap. If you suspect disease, throw them in the garbage.
4. Cut back almost to the ground any perennials whose foilage has been unsightly. The seedheads and dried foilage of some perennials add interest during the winter months, while other jsut look bad.
5. Weed. Fall action prevents weed from getting a head start next spring.
6. Dig up tender bulbs. Cannas, tuberous begonias, gladiolus, dahlias, and most other summber blooming bulbs don't survive the winter in zone 9 and colder. Store bulbs in vermiculite in a paper bag in a cool (65 degree F or cooler), dry spot.
7. Apply a winter mulch to perennials where winter temperatures generally fall below minus
10 degrees F. Simply lay a lightweight organic mulch, such as shredded autumn leavses, pine needles, or straw, over beds to protect plants from winter's extremes. Avoid more compact mulches and whole leaves (which can mat), since they can suffocate the plant.
8. Protect broad-leaved evergreens, such as rhododendrons and holly, with an antidesiccant spray. This prevents water loss from drying winter winds.
9. Water evergreens and small trees and shrubs if the fall weather is especially dry. Their foilage and stems need to bee nice and plump to prevent damage from drying winds now through early spring.
