Getting Ready for Winter

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As the gardening year winds down, there are still a few things remaining before you pack away your implements. Be sure to clean dirt and debris from all tools, sharpen, and oil metal surfaces. Any with wooden handles could benefit from a coating of linseed oil to keep them in good condition. Doing this now saves time in the Spring when you want to get out and get dirty. If you have good tools, it makes sense to take care of them. When you are checking over tools, any that look worn out or just won’t sharpen anymore, toss them. Add that must-have item to your Christmas list.

Before putting the mower away, clean it and be sure to sharpen the blades. In fact, pulling basic maintenance now saves time later. Don’t leave hoses and nozzles out all winter… drain the water out and place in garage, basement or storage shed. If water is left inside, it can freeze and cause permanent damage.

If you haven’t cleaned up the garden or flowerbeds yet, there is still time. It is very important to clean up debris so pests and diseases can’t hide out. We do have some great days in the winter and this will give you an excuse to get back outside. Take stock of what you might want to add to the yard… shrubs, evergreens, winter color. Take a notebook with you and make drawings and notes. Then, when the weather turns cold, you can pull out those garden catalogs and see what will look great in your yard. Of course, your local extension office is a great resource for native and other plants for this area.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and that the new year will bring you much success.

Happy gardening!