As the growing season winds down and temperatures in Zone 6B begin to dip, it’s time to tuck your garden in for a restful winter. Thoughtful fall cleanup and preparation now will reward you with healthier soil, fewer pests, and a stronger start when spring returns. Here’s a simple, practical guide to winterizing your garden in our New England climate.
Not all cleanup is created equal!
Remove diseased or pest-ridden plants—tomato blight, mildew, or damaged foliage should be thrown away, not composted.
Leave healthy perennials and seed heads. Plants like coneflowers, rudbeckia, and ornamental grasses provide winter interest and feed the birds.
Cut back soft-stemmed perennials like hostas and daylilies after frost turns the foliage mushy.
Leave stems for pollinators. Hollow stems of bee-friendly plants provide overwintering habitat—cut them back in spring instead.
Even in Zone 6B, some perennials appreciate a little extra care:
Pile 2–4 inches of mulch around the base of roses, newly planted shrubs, and borderline-hardy perennials.
Wrap vulnerable shrubs (like boxwood) with burlap if they’re exposed to winter winds.
Once the soil freezes, add a protective layer of:
Shredded leaves
Straw
Pine needles Mulch helps regulate soil temperature, prevents heaving, and protects roots from freeze–thaw cycles.
Your veggie beds need rest, too:
Pull spent annual vegetables and compost what’s healthy.
Add compost or aged manure, allowing nutrients to break down over winter.
Consider planting garlic, which thrives when planted in late fall.
Water deeply before the ground freezes—especially newly planted trees.
Add a fresh layer of wood chips around the base (but not touching the trunk).
Wrap young trees with trunk guards to prevent winter sunscald and critter damage.
A little tool maintenance saves headaches in spring:
Clean dirt from shovels, pruners, and trowels.
Sharpen blades and oil metal surfaces.
Drain hoses and store them indoors to prevent cracking.
Once everything is tucked in, your garden enters a peaceful winter dormancy. The work you put in now means:
So make a cup of tea, admire your tidy beds, and look forward to the first green shoots of spring—your garden will thank you.
Keep your garden lively! Regularly remove spent flowers from annuals like petunias and zinnias to encourage new blooms. This simple step keeps plants from putting energy into seed production and instead channels it into fresh, colorful blossoms.
#2: Water Early, Water Deep
Morning is the best time to water before the sun gets too strong. A deep soak encourages roots to grow downward, creating stronger, more drought-tolerant plants. Quick sprinkles only dampen the surface and do little good.
#3: Feed Your Soil, Not Just Your Plants
Healthy soil is the secret to happy plants. Add compost, leaf mold, or aged manure each spring to improve texture, fertility, and drainage. Think of it as a multivitamin for your garden!
4: Welcome the Pollinators
Plant native blooms like coneflowers, bee balm, and milkweed to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Avoid pesticides when possible your buzzing friends will thank you.
Save time and water by planting in “hydrozones.” Group thirsty plants like hydrangeas together and keep drought-tolerant ones like lavender and sedum in another area. Your hose (and water bill) will be happier.
#6: Mulch Magic
A 2–3 inch layer of mulch keeps soil cool, retains moisture, and blocks weeds. Choose organic mulch like shredded bark or compost, and keep it a few inches away from stems to prevent rot.
#7: Plant for All Seasons
Extend your garden’s beauty with a mix of spring bulbs, summer perennials, fall grasses, and winter evergreens. A four-season garden means there’s always something to admire even in January.
#8: Don’t Fear the Pruners
Most plants benefit from a good trim! Pruning improves air circulation and encourages new growth. When in doubt, prune after flowering and always use clean, sharp tools.
#9: Label as You Plant
Save yourself from mystery plants later. Label perennials and bulbs as you plant them even a simple tag helps track what thrived (or didn’t) next year.
#10: Take Time to Enjoy It
Gardening isn’t just about the work it’s about the joy. Sit with your morning coffee, admire your progress, and watch how your garden changes day to day. That’s where the magic is.
Organized October 9, 1930. Federated 1932. Member of The National Garden Clubs, Inc. New England Region.
Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc. | Middlesex District
Wakefield Garden Club, Wakefield Massachusetts
For more information please e-mail czoubek@gmail.com
