NH Garden Center Fall & Winter Garden Preparations

BULBS: Stop by our Garden center to buy and plant spring-blooming bulbs such as crocus, tulips, daffodils, and hyacinth, anytime between September and December-as long as the ground can be worked. Mix Bulb Booster fertilizer and Vole Bloc into the soil at planting time for best blooms and protection from digging rodents. For added protection from digging rodents place a layer of chicken wire over the bulbs before burying the bulbs.

TENDER BULBS: Dig up tender bulbs such as Cannas, Gladiolas, Dahlia’s and other summer-blooming bulbs that don’t survive through our NH zone 5 winters. Store dried, healthy bulbs in vermiculite or peat moss in a paper bag in a cool (65 degrees or cooler) dry place, until you plant them in the spring.

LEAVES: Rake up leaves and dispose of them, preferably in a compost pile. Leaving large amounts of leaves on the lawn results in patches of dead grass. Invest in a leaf shredder to reduce the leaves into fine pieces and spread them over your lawn to add organic matter, improve the soil and reduce the need for frequent watering next year. 

ANNUALS: Pull out any annuals or vegetables after they have been damaged by frost. Dispose of them in the compost heap unless you suspect they are diseased, or plagued by fungus.

PERENNIALS: Stop by our Garden Center and shop for the great deals on the remaining perennials. Cut back perennials almost to the ground when they turn brown and unsightly. The seed heads and dried foliage of some perennials add interest during our long winter months while others just look too messy to leave. Removal of the dead foliage helps prevent insect problems next year.

WINTER MULCH: After the ground has become frozen, apply an extra layer of organic winter mulch to tender plants, such as Heather, Hibiscus, and Lavender. Avoid using mulch like whole leaves that will compact and smother plants. Shredded leaves, pine needles or Mainly Mulch Straw works nicely and adds organic matter as it decomposes. DO NOT apply the extra mulch before the ground has become frozen, that would be an invitation for moles, voles, mice and other unwelcome pests to move into it.

WATERING: Water all new trees, shrubs and other plants very thoroughly before you put your hose away for the winter. They require extra moisture at the root level to survive though their first couple winters. Rainfall is generally not enough, as it only soaking in just below the surface. This watering could be a matter of life and death to newly planted trees, shrubs, and especially evergreens.

EVERGREENS: Protect evergreens such as Rhododendrons, Holly, Arborvitae, Azalea’s, Mt. Laurel, Japanese Andromeda and Boxwoods,  by spraying with an anti-transpirant such as Wilt Pruf. It helps prevent water loss and protects plants from severe cold, drying winter winds. Spray in November and again in December for best protection. This could be a matter of life and death to newly planted evergreens.

SHRUBS: Shrubs growing beneath a roofline that are at risk of snow and ice falling off onto the shrubs should be covered with a protective Shrub Tent, which is a wooden frame covered with burlap. They can also be used as a wind barrier for plants in exposed locations, or protect from heavy snow caused by snowplowing.

LAWNS: Lawns thrive in NH’s cool fall weather. Crabgrass and other weeds have stopped growing. De-thatching and over-seeding efforts during early fall will be the most successful.  Lawns benefit with an early fall application of organic fertilizer to improve the soil. During late fall, apply a winterizer fertilizer such as Jonathan Greene Winter Survival. If moles have been a problem, spray the lawn and garden area with Mole Go before you put your hose away for the winter.

ROSES: Our Zone 5 NH winters are severe for roses. With the exception of the tough Rugosa Roses all roses should have some extra winter protection. Many options are available for protection; Spray with Wilt Pruf, provide extra mulch after the ground is frozen, cover with a Shrub Tent, Rose Cone, or wrap the plant with a burlap covered frame.  

WEEDS: Weeds are just full of seeds in the fall. Removing them before the seeds spread will give you a head start in the war against weeds, saving you a lot of work in the long run. Pulling out or spraying perennial weeds with Roundup and you won’t see as many next year.

ODD & ENDS: Use Tree Wrap to protect bark from chewing mice, rabbits etc. Spray deer repellent on plants at risk. Drain water out of hoses and roll up for the winter. Clean off and sharpen tools. Wipe metal parts with a little oil to prevent rusting. Spray or remove hornet/bee nests while it is too cold for them to be active.