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.

Clean Up… Strategically

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 Perennials (But Not All of Them!)

• 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.

Protect Tender Plants

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.

Mulch Your Beds for Winter Warmth

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.

Prep Your Vegetable Garden

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.

Care for Trees & Shrubs

• 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.

Clean and Store Your Tools

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.

❄️ Enjoy the Winter Rest!

Once everything is tucked in, your garden enters a peaceful winter dormancy. The work you put in now means:

• Healthier soil
  
• Fewer pests
  
• Stronger perennial growth
  
• An easier spring start
  

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.