{"id":24186,"date":"2020-11-14T18:41:07","date_gmt":"2020-11-14T21:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?p=24186"},"modified":"2024-11-08T11:28:05","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T14:28:05","slug":"how-to-winterize-detroit-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/michigan\/detroit\/how-to-winterize-detroit-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Winterize Your Detroit Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"

Winterizing your garden will give you a boost over the Detroit gardeners who skipped out on winter prep and waited until spring to get their hands dirty again. To get that humble harvest, you\u2019ll need to winterize your Detroit garden. <\/p>

While preparing for spring is key to a successful growing season, prepping your garden for winter is just as important. From pulling weeds to insulating the garden with mulch, there\u2019s plenty to get done this autumn before winter arrives. <\/p>

So slip on your garden gloves, throw on a warm scarf, and use our handy checklist to winterize your Detroit garden. <\/p>

14 Ways to Winterize Your Detroit Garden<\/h2>

1. Get others to help you<\/h3>
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Photo Credit: Sandra Cohen-Rose and Colin Rose<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Winterizing your Detroit garden doesn\u2019t have to be a solo affair. It can be a lot of work, so get some help. Invite your children to help pull weeds or clean gardening tools before you put away that gear for the winter. <\/p>

Bonus points: Getting your little ones to help can instill an interest in gardening from a young age.<\/p>

If your winterizing tasks will be done at one of Detroit\u2019s community gardens, you may get help from friends and strangers. Winterizing gardens is sometimes a community affair (while practicing social distancing, of course).<\/p>

Wherever you garden (at home or as a community), the whole point is to find a few more hands — if you can — to help with the winterizing handiwork.<\/p>

2. Decide when to harvest<\/h3>
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Photo Credit: Markus Spiske<\/a> \/ Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Detroit’s growing season is long enough for many warm-season vegetables, but the growing season is slightly shorter here up North. <\/p>

For example, in USDA Hardiness Zone 6, the average last frost date ranges from April 1st to April 30th, while the average first frost date ranges from October 1st to 31st. <\/p>

Keep in mind these dates are estimates and will change year to year. <\/p>

Some Detroit gardeners may want to increase their growing season by delaying their harvest. But you are gambling by putting off reaping what you\u2019ve sown. <\/p>

The reason a delayed harvest may turn out to be a bad bet: A frost can destroy many vegetables that you could have harvested. <\/p>

For example, according to the Michigan State University Extension, some vegetables, such as tomatoes, may lose their quality<\/a> after a light frost. <\/p>

But\u2026 a frost also can make some vegetables taste even better. Greens like kale, swiss chard, and collards can become a bit sweeter after a light frost. <\/p>

Note that crops below the soil’s surface aren’t affected by frost, but they are affected by freezing. You can delay harvesting your carrots, beets, parsnips, and rutabagas as these vegetables can survive a frost and remain in good condition. <\/p>

Just remember that you’ll need to harvest these root vegetables before the ground freezes. <\/p>

3. Remove annual flowers and vegetables<\/h3>

Annual flowers and vegetables won\u2019t be returning on their own next spring. Annual vegetables like tomatoes and radishes will need to be replanted, and your marigolds won\u2019t pop back up in the spring either. <\/p>

Since annual plants have only one growing season, remove these flowers and vegetables from your garden as soon as they\u2019re spent. Don\u2019t let your annuals decompose in the soil, as this can lead to garden pests and diseases overwintering in your garden debris. <\/p>

4. Pull the weeds<\/h3>
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Photo Credit: USDA NRCS Montana<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ PDM 1.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>

We know you\u2019d rather be enjoying a bike ride on the Detroit Riverwalk or visiting the Great Lakes with friends than pulling weeds all afternoon, but bacteria and pests can overwinter in your weeds. <\/p>

So pull up those weeds, clean up the debris, and your garden will spring forth with healthy plants when the temperatures warm up again.<\/p>

5. Bring your tender plants indoors<\/h3>
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Photo Credit: Huy Phan<\/a> \/ Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Cold weather is coming, so protect your healthy, outdoor plants. Winter hardiness levels vary among plants. Some plants can withstand a drop in temperatures better than others. Here in Zone 6, the minimum average temperatures range between -10 and 0 degrees.<\/p>

Your most vulnerable plants will usually include tropicals, succulents, potted flowers, and tender bulbs. A frost or sudden drop in temperatures can easily shock and kill these tender plants, so bring them inside as houseplants. Bringing inside the added color and life is seen by many as a home improvement during the winter months.<\/p>

To protect vulnerable bulbs from frost, dig them up from the ground and dry them (storing moist bulbs may lead to rot). Dry the bulbs on trays in the garage or tool shed before temperatures start getting too cold at night, and then store them in mesh bags.<\/p>

Add several sheets of paper between the bulbs to help absorb excess moisture.<\/p>

6. Divide the perennials<\/h3>
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Photo Credit: liz west<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Are your perennials<\/a> growing too close together? Bunched plants can cause your flowers to compete for air, space, and nutrients. <\/p>

How to keep your perennials from growing on top of one another: <\/p>