Dean Schoeppner
In the fall, mostperennials start winding downand going dormant for the colder months.
And when you how to winterize perennials, they’ll come back in good shape next spring.
Use these tips to help tuck your perennials in for a long winter’s nap.
Credit:Dean Schoeppner
Take Stock
The end of the growing season is the perfect time to assess the perennial garden.
Look with a critical eye, pairing your vision for the space with how the plants are growing.
Which ones struggled, and can any of those plants be moved to a better spot?
Credit: Andrew Drake
Are there planting areas that need a burst of color in a particular season?
Take time towalk through the garden and make notes.
Even tiny weeds have the potential to quickly turn into monsters next spring.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Ruthlessly move through the garden, pulling ordigging unwanted plantsout by the root.
Water Well
For most plants, fall hydration is critical for overwintering success.
Conserve water by carefullyapplying water directly to the rootsof the plant.
Clean Up Diseased or Damaged Foliage
It’sbest to cut backplantsplagued by insectsor disease to ground level.
Removing affected foliage is a valuable tactic in preventing the pest or disease from returning next year.
On the other hand, leave healthy perennials standing in the garden through winter.
Their foliage provides some insulation for the plant’s crown, or growing point.
Mulch Perennials Selectively
Not all plants need an extralayer of mulchto make it through winter.
Mulch can be detrimental to some plants, trapping moisture against stems and leading to rot.
