7 Tips for Winterizing Your Garden

Winter is one of the most damaging seasons for any outdoor space. Did you know the problems usually start long before you see the first snowstorm? 

A single hard freeze can split an irrigation line if you’ve got any installed. It can kill vulnerable plants. It can crack pond equipment. Heavy snow does a lot of damage too, combining cold, humidity, and weight, which can warp wooden fences and damage root systems when it enters the soil. The repeated ice and freeze-thaw cycles that hit the garden every winter can have long-lasting consequences even if you don’t notice them at the time. 

In fact, most homeowners don’t realize the extent of the damage until spring, when plants fail to revive. 

Are you ready to prepare your entire garden, not just a few plants, to protect your investment and keep your outdoor space strong and healthy? 

#1. Protect Delicate Plants Early

The first step in winterizing your garden is making sure vulnerable plants can survive freezing temperatures. Many species that thrive in spring and summer simply can’t tolerate sudden cold snaps.

Start by covering sensitive shrubs and young perennials with frost cloths. These help trap a small amount of heat while still allowing air circulation, which prevents moisture buildup (and rot). 

If you have raised beds, this is your sign to use a fresh layer of mulch to insulate the ground. This will slowly lose moisture over time and protect the roots from the usual freeze-thaw cycles. The same principle applies to exposed soil. 

Potted plants, on the other hand, can relocate to the garage or the shed during the winter months. 

#2. Prepare Trees & Shrubs

Larger plants often suffer the most visible winter damage because snow and ice place significant stress on branches and foliage. Not only does this harm the plant, but falling branches can damage property or create hazards.

Start by pruning dead, crossing, or weak branches before temperatures fall consistently below freezing. This keeps trees and shrubs structurally sound and reduces the risk of winter breakage. 

For hedges and multi-stem shrubs, lightly tying them with soft garden twine can help them hold their shape under heavy snow.

It’s also a good idea to assess trees growing close to roofs, fences, or utility lines ahead of potential winter storms.

#3. Get Your Pond Winter-Ready

Ponds and outdoor water features can experience some of the harshest effects of winter. When the water freezes, the ice expands and can damage liners and pumps. It can also disrupt the balance, so fish and aquatic plants struggle to survive until spring. It doesn’t take as much as you think to winterize your pond. 

For a start, you want to get your pond or water feature clean and clear of debris and decaying plant matter before the temperatures drop too much. The reason for this is that debris can reduce oxygen levels once the water cools down. You can also install a net above the water to catch falling debris in winter. 

If you have aquatic plants, you need to get them trimmed and cleaned. If you have fish, feeding is not always a priority. In fact, when temperatures drop consistently below 50°F, you don’t have to feed anymore. 

Finally, if you have sensitive species in the pond, or if the winter is particularly cold in your climate, it’s a good idea to install a de-icer and use a cold-weather air pump that doesn’t risk cracking. 

#4. Clear and Secure Your Outdoor Structures

Winter weather can be especially hard on the built areas like patios, decks, fences, etc. These are exposed to ingoing stress with high moisture levels paired with freezing weather, and the weight of the snow (or the ice) makes it even worse. 

You want to clear all debris ahead, as organic buildup will become slippery when it freezes. 

It’s worth inspecting all structures for weaknesses that will need to be addressed before the start of winter. If you have outdoor furniture that is movable, make sure to store it away in a safe space; otherwise, you can consider using a weatherproof cover. 

#5. Prepare The Lawn for Winter Dormancy

Lawns may not look like much compared to other plants and garden structures, but they are just as vulnerable to the cold weather. Grass enters dormancy in winter, but this doesn’t necessarily keep it safe. Anything that interferes with this process can lead to bare patches and fungal issues. In short, excess moisture, leaf and debris buildups, and compacted snow are the enemies of your lawn and this is where choosing the right landscape supply can make a big difference in protecting your grass all season long.

Ideally, you should mow your lawn a final time before the first hard freeze to prevent matting under the snow. If there are thin and uneven areas, you can try overseeding up to late fall to recover quickly in spring. 

Also, a winterizing fertilizer can keep roots strong through winter. 

#6. Invest in Snow-Management Tools

You can’t stop snow and ice from appearing. But you can stop them from causing damage by clearing them off. The idea is that you want to keep all access points safe and prevent the ice from compacting into hard layers that are tricky to remove.

Manual shoveling is probably the most important and least liked gardening activity in winter. You can’t escape it, but you can make it more manageable with an electric snow shovel, which is easier to manipulate and more convenient to use. It is certainly a worthy investment if you live in a region that is prone to snow. 

#7. Use Smart Monitoring Tools

Winter conditions can change fast, and it can be tough to react. So, more and more homeowners are looking into smart solutions that take the guesswork out of garden maintenance. 

Freeze sensors can alert you when conditions are approaching dangerous levels for your plants, pipes, and other garden structures. You can also use smart plugs to control heaters and de-icers remotely, which can be a game-changer if you’re away for a few days. 

You can also connect weather apps to your systems for real-time notifications and planning, so you can plan your winterizing tasks more strategically. 

With only a few weeks before the start of winter, this is your sign to get things ready and protect your garden.