From heavy snow to harsh winds, there are many uncontrollable factors that can kill or damage your tender plants during winter. That is why preparing your garden beds for next year's seeds and seedling transplant before winter settles in brings a multitude of benefits to your yard. Such preparation can ward off weeds, prevent diseases in next season's crops, and promote overall soil health. In this article, we have listed three smart ways to winterize your yard and garden to help you identify the most essential tasks for getting your garden ready for the cold days ahead.

Keep Your Garden Beds Clean

While it can be tempting to slack off a bit on gardening tasks as the season winds down, it is important to get back to composting dead plants, pulling up stakes, tending weeds, and fixing all the other clutter. Aside from their unappealing aesthetics, old and infected plants can harbor pests and diseases. At the same time, they can house beneficial bugs as well. Take the time to remove and put aside these plants to avoid spreading disease to your healthy vegetation. Take advantage of this time to scoop out the last of this season's "black gold" to ensure a nutrient-rich environment for the upcoming spring season.

Create Winter Protection for Your Garden Beds

Winter brings grueling growing conditions to houseplants like chilly temperatures, shorter days, lower light levels, and dry air. The secret to helping plants survive winter is to add an extra layer of protection so they don't get blown away by harsh winter winds. It is advisable to use frost protection cloth, as fabrics are relatively easy to use, and they give you the ability to cover wide swaths. At the same time, engage in protective measures for your patio furniture to minimize damage during freezing temperatures. Removal and storage also give the lawn and plants beneath and around your furniture the chance to regrow and enjoy more sunlight and water.

Apply Extra Winter Mulch

For the last of our three smart ways to winterize your yard and garden, it is advisable to apply layers of winter mulch to retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds that absorb most of the nutrients in the ground. It also helps keep a steady temperature by blocking out the warmth of the sun to protect your plants from the damaging conditions of winter. When deciding which material to use for winter mulching, look for degradable and organic materials, such as shredded mulch, straw, pine needles, aged compost, or shredded leaves to allow the nutrients to break down into the soil.