If you are a landscaper or gardener, you probably know that the winter presents a lot of unique challenges for your plants. The last thing you want is for all of the hard work you did during the spring and summer to get damaged by the cold weather. The best gardeners are always thinking ahead for ways to maximize their gardening efforts and keep their plants flourishing. This is easier said than done for many people, especially if you haven’t been gardening for too long.

Remember that your garden requires attention and care all year round. Just because the winter has arrived doesn’t mean you can take the entire season off from gardening. The good news is that you typically don’t have to work as hard on your garden in the winter. With the right approach, you can keep your garden alive and help it come back strong when the spring starts. We want you to know what is required to protect your garden this winter, which is why we’ve put together the following article. Keep reading on to learn a few smart steps for protecting your garden this winter. Also, if you are in the market for landscaping supplies to help with your gardening, reach out to Cal Blend Soils today.

1. Mulch Your Plant Beds

One of the best landscaping products to buy ahead of the winter is mulch. That’s because you can use mulch to create a protective barrier around your plant beds. You don’t want the roots of your plants in your garden to be exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Mulch can help to regulate the temperature of the soil and prevent erosion from occurring. It can also be used for aesthetic purposes like creating walking paths and adding some style to your garden. Your garden plants will have a much better chance of surviving the harsh temperatures of the winter if you invest in quality mulch from Cal Blend Soils.

2. Remove Weeds

If you are a gardener or landscaper, you probably have already begun your battle against weeds. It’s never fun trying to deal with weeds, but it’s a necessary activity for anyone trying to achieve a successful landscape or garden. Just because the weather is getting colder and the winter months are arriving doesn’t mean you can relax and let the weeds take over. Another smart step for protecting your garden this winter is to take an opportunity to get rid of weeds in your garden. The last thing you want is for the weeds to develop strong and healthy root systems that allow them to really take your garden over when the weather heats up. Simply being proactive with weed management can go a long way towards helping you achieve a great garden.

3. Get Rid of Leaves

Leaves are always a challenge for gardeners to deal with, especially in the fall. That’s because they just keep piling up all over the place, even if you take the time to rake them up. Another smart step for protecting your garden this winter is to get rid of any fallen leaves. That’s because wet leaves can end up causing serious problems for your garden plants if you let them pile up all winter long. Fallen leaves get wet and can make your plants more susceptible to plant diseases and fungus. Make sure you are managing the number of leaves on your property to avoid hindering your landscaping success.

4. Move Delicate Plants Indoors

If you have plants that are delicate and more susceptible to problems when exposed to cold temperatures, sometimes the smart thing to do is to transport them inside. That way, you are giving them the best chances for surviving the winter months. If you are going to pursue this tip, make sure you move your delicate plants indoors before things get too cold. Storing your delicate plants in clay pots and keeping them in the sun will allow them to stay healthy in the winter and come back strong in the spring. Another added benefit of moving your delicate plants indoors is that you won’t have to go outside to water them in the freezing cold! Moving your delicate plants indoors is absolutely a smart step for protecting your plants in the winter.

5. Plant New Bulbs

You might be thinking that the winter is not the right time for planting, but it really depends on which type of plants you are looking to add to your garden. If you are interested in adding spring flowers, you can usually head outside and plant bulbs in the winter. Keep in mind that most spring flowers need to experience a period of cooler temperatures, otherwise they won’t flower in the spring. If you haven’t already planted new bulbs in the fall, you can absolutely get them in the ground in the winter. Just make sure that you get it done before the ground freezes. Remember that mulch can also help with regulating the temperature of the soil in the winter. If you are planting new bulbs, make sure you reach out to Cal Blend Soils to purchase the mulch they need to stay healthy in the winter.

6. Take Care of Your Gardening Tools

The sign of a true gardener is someone that understands how important their gardening tools are. After you’ve taken care of the steps mentioned above, make sure you don’t forget to clean and store your gardening tools in a safe and dry spot. The last thing you want is to have a forgotten tool getting rusty throughout the entire winter. By taking care of your gardening tools, you know you can start strong in the spring when the weather warms up.

These smart steps for protecting your garden this winter are a great way to make sure things don’t take a turn for the worse due to the weather. Remember to reach out to Cal Blend Soils if you are interested in landscaping supplies to take your garden further.