Essential Guide to Preparing Your Minnesota Garden for Winter: Expert Tips from Copper Creek

Preparing your garden for winter in Minnesota is crucial to protect your plants from the region’s harsh weather. Nikki Holst, Director of Retail and Customer Experience at Copper Creek Landscapes and Garden Center in Nisswa, emphasizes that proper fall garden preparation is an investment in the health of your landscape for next spring.

“I know that at the end of a season you may just want to walk away and let it all go,” Nikki said. “But, in the spring you will reap the rewards from the time you spend in the fall to protect your plants and flowers.”

Here are Nikki’s expert tips for preparing your Minnesota garden for winter and ensuring your plants thrive next year.

1. Clean Up Your Garden Before Winter

Remove Dead Plants: Clearing out dead or diseased plants prevents pests and diseases from overwintering. Holst recommends cutting back plants like ninebark, phlox, delphiniums, and rhododendron to prevent the spread of powdery mildew.

Weed Thoroughly: Pull weeds now to eliminate potential pests and diseases. Removing weeds in fall can help give your garden a fresh start in spring.

Harvest Remaining Vegetables: Don’t forget to gather any remaining vegetables, especially root crops, which may still be viable late into the season.

2. Mulch Your Garden for Winter Protection

Add Mulch to Perennials, Shrubs, and Trees: A layer of mulch helps regulate soil temperature and moisture, protecting plant roots during freeze-thaw cycles. Nikki recommends using straw, shredded leaves, or bark mulch around perennials, trees, and shrubs.

Cover Bare Soil: In vegetable gardens, adding a thick layer of organic mulch not only protects the soil but enriches it for spring planting.

3. Prepare Perennials for Cold Weather

Cut Back Certain Perennials: Cut back dormant perennials like peonies and daylilies, trimming dead foliage to about 2–3 inches from the ground. Some hydrangea species may require extra care. For detailed advice, check out our Everything Hydrangeas blog.

Apply Preen: Holst recommends applying preen in the fall, focusing on garden and flower bed perimeters to prevent spring weeds.

Leave Some Perennials Standing: Consider leaving plants like coneflowers and sedums, which provide winter interest and food for birds.

Water Well Before the First Freeze: A deep watering of perennials and shrubs in late fall can help protect roots, as moist soil freezes more slowly than dry soil.

4. Protect Shrubs and Trees from Winter Damage

Wrap Sensitive Shrubs: Protect delicate shrubs like boxwood, yews, and evergreens by wrapping them with burlap or frost cloth to shield against wind and snow damage.

Create Windbreaks for Young Trees: Temporary windbreaks made of burlap or snow fencing can prevent winter desiccation for young or newly planted trees.

Mulch Around Trees and Shrubs: Add a 2–4 inch mulch ring around the base of trees and shrubs, keeping mulch a few inches away from the trunk to avoid rot.

5. Winterize Bulbs for a Vibrant Spring

Plant New Bulbs: Plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses by late October to give them time to establish before the ground freezes.

Mulch Bulb Beds: After planting, cover bulb beds with a 2–3 inch layer of mulch to protect them from temperature fluctuations.

6. Protect Roses and Other Tender Plants

Mound Soil Around Roses: For hybrid tea roses and other delicate varieties, mound 6–12 inches of soil or compost around the base to protect them from freezing.

Use Rose Cones or Burlap Wraps: For added protection, use rose cones or wrap roses in burlap after mounding the soil.

7. Winter Care for Container Plants

Move Potted Plants Indoors: Bring tender container plants and houseplants inside before the first frost hits.

Insulate Hardy Container Plants: For hardy perennials left outside in pots, wrap containers in burlap or bubble wrap, or bury the pots in the ground to protect roots from freezing.

8. Lawn and Soil Preparation for Winter

Aerate and Reseed the Lawn: Aerate your lawn in early fall to reduce soil compaction and reseed thin areas to ensure healthy growth before winter sets in.

Add Compost to Garden Beds: Spread a layer of compost over garden beds in the fall to boost soil health and prepare it for spring planting.

Final Thoughts: Protect Your Minnesota Garden for a Strong Spring

Many plants are vulnerable to freezing temperatures, especially if they aren’t cold-hardy. By following these essential winter garden preparation tips, you’ll help protect your plants and ensure they’re ready for a vibrant start in the spring.

For more expert gardening tips, visit Copper Creek Landscapes or consult with our garden specialists to get personalized advice on winterizing your landscape.

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