Wait, leave the roots!

The leaves are starting to change and the weather is getting cooler, so you know what that means…time to prep the garden for winter! We have not had a frost here yet, but the plants are all looking tired, so we’ve started clearing out the garden. Below you’ll find three things to consider when closing your own garden for the season.

Remove Annual Plants - but leave behind the roots!

Did you know that you can save yourself a ton of time and also benefit your garden by simply leaving behind the plant roots? This is hands down one of the best things I’ve learned since starting flower farming. You do not need to pull up the entire plant at the end of the season! Cut the plant at the base of the stem and leave the roots undisturbed in the soil. These roots will spend the winter decaying in the soil, providing food for the microorganisms living in the garden.  We like to take a hedge trimmer and cut everything down in one fell swoop. Then we remove the larger pieces of plant debris to the compost pile, leaving behind smaller pieces to decompose in situ.

Cover Crop or Leaf Mulch

It is important to protect your soil from erosion during the winter months. I recommend using a cover crop mix or a shredded leaf mulch to cover your soil. Both of these options are super beneficial for the microbiome of your soil! If you are interested in learning more about cover cropping check out episode no. 33 of the No-Till Flowers Podcast.

Plant Bulbs and Peony Roots

Late October into November is the perfect time of year to get tulip bulbs and other perennial bulbs into the ground. This year I will be planting lots of allium, narcissus, and fritillaria around our property to ward off voles.