Winterizing Plants Checklist
Protect your garden through the cold months with cleanup, mulching, and coverage.
Do most of this before the first hard frost to give plants the best protection.
Tick items as you go. Your progress is saved in this browser only.
Assess and clean up
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Identify which plants need winter protection based on hardiness zone
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Remove dead or diseased foliage
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Clear fallen leaves from garden beds
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Weed beds before the ground freezes
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Take photos of the garden layout for spring reference
Protecting plants
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Mulch around the base of perennials to insulate roots
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Wrap tender shrubs or trees in burlap
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Move potted plants indoors or to a sheltered spot
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Cut back perennials to a few inches above the ground
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Cover tender plants with frost cloth before the first freeze
Watering and soil
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Water plants well before the first hard frost
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Stop fertilizing to let plants go dormant
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Drain and store garden hoses
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Shut off outdoor water spigots to prevent freezing
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Add a fresh layer of compost for spring
Tools and structures
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Clean and store garden tools for winter
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Bring in or cover garden furniture and decor
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Check that greenhouse or cold frame seals are intact
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Store bulbs that need to overwinter indoors
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Plan next year's garden layout while it's fresh in mind