Winterizing Perennials

Winterizing your perennial garden doesn't have to be a big job, especially if you take little steps all year to prepare your plants for the impending winter. While some varieties of perennials may need more protection than others, all of them will benefit from your attention. A few key practices help insure that perennials survive winter successfully and will tidy-up the garden for the next six months.

The first frost of fall dictates the initial steps of winterizing. Immediately following the frost, typically in early to mid-October, cut perennials back. Also, remember to clear all plant debris to minimize soil-borne diseases. In mid-November, a good layer of mulch should be applied to perennials to protect the crowns of the plants from the freezing and thawing cycle of late fall and early spring. Leaf mulch offers good insulation and composts readily. A layer 4 to 6 inches deep is best for most perennials. In addition, watering perennials should continue until the ground freezes and is important to successful over wintering since dry weeks tend to occur in late October. If the soil is dry an inch or two below the surface, give the area a thorough soaking.

Today's photo was taken by WPC staff this past August and shows the Parkway West/Scott Carnegie Intersection community garden.

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