As the days get colder our longer-lasting plants need a little extra care. You need some perennial winter prep to keep your garden beautiful!
It’s mid fall, which means it’s the perfect time to set the groundwork for your garden to flourish in the spring and summer! For those frosty Colorado days here are some great ideas for perennial winter prep for a beautiful spring garden.
Store your fragile bulbs
This perennial winter prep tip is crucial to your little bud’s health. Dig up those babies and store your gladiolus and dahlias in a protected area with a fitting climate. That way when the frost and snow melts, you can plant your babies fresh!
Cover your beds
VITAL perennial winter prep. Cover your flowerbeds with a 4-6 inch thick layer of compost or mulch. This will protect your plants from the elements, and also feed them nutrients as the compost breaks down. Win Win!
Be patient with your pruning
For your stronger perennials, hold off on the pruning until the first frost of the season. Prune back the foliage about 6-8 inches and cut back on watering so they can harden in prep for the winter months. For most perennial winter prep, you’re going to typically wait until the first major frost to cut them back.
Create insulation
When the ground starts to freeze, it’s best to remove all mulch and replace it with covers like evergreen boughs to help catch snow and develop a layer of insulation to your garden.
Covering Removal
Wait until all the frost and frozen hardness is out of the ground before removing your protective coverings. If your region warms up early, it’s best to pull back some of the mulch early, leaving about 2-3 inches!
Follow these tips and you'll see a flourishing and beautiful perennial garden in the spring and summer months!
