Getting the Garden Ready for Winter花園過冬前的準備工作
1. Dig out the tender perennials roots, wrap with old newspaper then put them in plastic bag and store them in the basement over winter. Do this for dahlias, less cold hardy geraniums…
2. Collect seeds that you can sow the following spring. The seeds of some plants, such as some annuals, are not as cold tolerant. It is also a good time for stem cuttings.
3. Prune the shrubs: some require heavy pruning, some need a light pruning. Light trimming evergreen or broad leaf shrubs. Cut back the perennials (except evergreen ground covers) to almost the ground level.
4. Clean-up leaves.
5. Do some last minute shopping, if your garden still has room for it. Garden centre and nurseries have clearance sales for trees, shrubs, perennials, vines and bulbs! You can get some great deals! Just remember to plant them before the ground freezes, and remember to water them after you plant them.
6. Give new plants or less cold hardy plants some protection. Such as giving stakes for new trees, wrap burlap or even cover with a Styrofoam cone, dig 3′ deep water proofing hole and fill with water for cold hardy water plants.
7. Bring some potted plants indoor over winter. For example, spike plants, rosemary, Christmas cactus, passion flower vine.
8. Mulch the ground. This will keep the ground tidy and give plants a bit protection. This is not recommended in an active termite area!
9. If you have lawn, give a good rake and then sprinkle some lawn fertilizer. Add some grass seed at thinner spots.
10. Remove water from irrigation system and shut off the water supply from the inside to prevent water freezing and cracking the pipes.
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