Most of the videos and guides I find are aimed at people with established gardens who do their prep work in the fall. My garden beds are empty right now, and since it’s December, we’ve had our first snowfall. What should I be doing now to get ready for spring? I haven’t started composting yet, and I haven’t covered the beds with tarps, mulch, or leaves. If I get a warm day before it gets really cold, what should I focus on?
Some background: My family moved into a new home this fall and we’d like to start gardening in the spring. The previous owners were avid gardeners, but the garden has been mostly untouched throughout the year of 2022. In October, we cleared out the weeds, but otherwise, we haven’t done much with the beds. A few short weeds have appeared in October and November, but they’re not too big.
Dream about spring lettuce while eating bitter store lettuce. Stare at your dirt while sipping a beer and planning. Sharpen and oil your tools. Read up on what you want to grow. Look for deals on tools, pots, hoses, starting mix, twine, trellises, pesticides, cages, bamboo, cloches, row covers, canning supplies, and seeds. Make a compost bin. Build a greenhouse. Weeds in winter are fine; their roots help keep the soil healthy. You can cut them down with a hoe and throw them in the compost pile before they seed. Buy compost and spread about one inch in late winter. Grow baby grow.
I cut down plants that have gone to seed to avoid them popping up next year, and I spread leaves around the gardens so bugs have a place to overwinter. I also plant spring bulbs and tidy up the garden by moving ornaments or lawn chairs, etc.
Other than that, I wait for spring and try not to go crazy while doing so (winter can last 6-8 months where I live). In spring, I leave the leaves to break down for nutrients, which boosts plant health, then cut down any dead plant material after the bugs have emerged. I usually either leave it on the ground or toss it in the green bin or compost pile if it’s things like globe thistles or sunflower stems.
This time of year, I rake leaves and bag them to shred in spring for mulch.
Starting a compost pile now is also a good idea. It may not heat up much in winter, but you’ll have all winter’s scraps accumulated.
I also take this time to make a planting schedule, check my seed inventory, and order any needed seeds. If I wait until spring, the seeds I want might be sold out.
@Piper
I agree about getting your seeds now! I tried to order in January/February last year and missed out on many things. I’ve already started getting some to be ready on schedule instead of waiting for deliveries.
@Piper
Definitely get your seeds now. The last three years, especially, seeds have been out of stock by late January. Depending on your area, you’ll want to start seeds in February or March. I just placed an order for seeds Tuesday, and some were already low or out of stock.
Ben said:
If the soil isn’t frozen yet, you could plant bulbs.
I actually got some from a friend that I need to plant right now! But I’m mostly thinking about how to get the soil ready for planting vegetables later or to keep the soil healthy and weeds controlled.
Blake said:
Some cover crops can handle cooler temperatures and will add nutrients back to the soil.
Isn’t it a bit late to plant those? I’m in the northeast US.
It varies based on what you plant. Some legumes will germinate even in the 30s. Your local extension office might have resources about cover crops, and local gardening centers can provide advice on the best options for late planting.
You definitely need to cover the soil with something. If you don’t have leaves or mulch, landscape fabric could work. Cardboard is another option. Straw is good too. Just ensure that whatever you use is breathable and allows moisture to come in and out, so plastic tarps won’t work.
I have the same question. I set up a nice garden last year and was pleased with the results but forgot about winterizing. I did remove old tomatoes and some dead plants, but that’s it. Last year, I used all new garden soil, and I’m sure it had some good fertilizer, but I don’t know any details.
Should I add anything in spring before planting? Like fertilizer or manure? And when should I do this? I plan to add two more 4x4 beds, so I’ll get new garden soil. Should I just mix the old with the new soil and call it good?