Calhoun County, AL – As October ushers in cooler temperatures, gardeners have just a few weeks to secure their shade gardens before the first freeze. Taking time now to prepare ensures a smooth transition into winter and a healthy start for plants come spring.
Creating a to-do list can make the process less stressful. Completing a few small tasks each day helps avoid last-minute rushing before a cold snap. The first step is stocking up on pine straw — at least a dozen bales. Once tree leaves begin to fall, they can be gathered and layered around hostas, ferns, and lily bulbs. The natural leaf matter breaks down quickly, creating nutrient-rich compost. Over that, a layer of pine straw provides added insulation.
When spring arrives, the pine straw can be removed and recycled to protect summer plants from high heat. For new garden areas or beds with fresh organic soil, rolling out weed block fabric in October helps prevent winter weed seeds from taking hold. Metal landscape pins secure the fabric in place, and a top layer of pine straw completes the protection. Established raised beds, meanwhile, require only pine straw.
By this point, watering should stop, allowing shrubs, plants, and trees to naturally dry and enter dormancy. Seeds collected from dried blooms can be stored in labeled paper bags, dated and filed indoors to protect against freezing damage.
Finally, garden art, ceramic bowls, and figurines should be moved into storage to prevent cracking during cold spells. Before finishing, take time to pull any remaining weeds by hand — removing roots now saves valuable time during the busy spring planting season.
Preparing early ensures your garden’s beauty will return in full force next year — and without the stress of a last-minute winter scramble.
Betty Clark is a contributing writer. She has been an organic gardener since 1998. The signature flower she grows is Dahlias. She has a straw bale garden, a raised bed garden, and an in-ground garden. Both her surnames are from agricultural farming families (8 generations). Her hobbies include ancestry research, antiques, continued education classes, and workshops. She also has a background in marketing & promotions, including expos. To contact Betty Clark with gardening questions: bettyclark2151959@gmail.com
