End of Season Checklist
Our gardening season doesn’t ever have to truly end in Middle Tennessee — we can be growing and harvesting even in the winter with a little protection, or by bringing the fun inside. But sometimes we just want a break. Either way, the work and the growth slow waaaay down when the days get shorter, and there are a few things we all can do to prepare our garden for dormancy.
1. Harvest Remaining Crops
Remove the remainder of your produce. Find this last peppers and eggplants hiding under leaves. Even green tomatoes are still delicious at the end of the season. Some veggies, like kale, Brussels sprouts, and carrots, may still be viable after a frost, but harvest them before extended freezing temperatures set in.
Collect seeds. If you’ve allowed some plants to go to seed, now is the time to collect them for next season. (Check out our seed saving guide for more info!)
2. Clean Up the Garden Beds
Remove dead plants. Once frost has killed off the tender plants, pull up spent annuals, vegetables, and herbs. You can either compost these (as long as they aren’t diseased) or dispose of them.
Compost healthy plant material. Chop up any healthy, non-diseased plant material to add to your compost pile. This will provide valuable organic matter to your compost that you can use next year.
Weed your garden. Make sure to remove any weeds that may have taken hold at the end of the season. Removing them now reduces the chance of them going to seed and spreading further next spring.
Leave the roots of legumes and other healthy plants. For nitrogen-fixing crops like peas and beans, consider leaving the roots in the soil. These roots will decompose, adding nitrogen back into the soil for next season.
3. Protect and Improve Your Soil
Add compost. Spread a layer of finished compost or well-rotted manure over your garden beds to enrich the soil with nutrients over the winter. This will break down and feed the soil, giving you a head start for the next growing season.
Mulch the soil. Add a thick layer of organic mulch (straw, leaves, or wood chips) to protect the soil from erosion, maintain moisture, and suppress weeds during the winter months.
4. Care for Perennial Berries and Shrubs
Mulch perennials. Mulch around the base of perennial plants to insulate their roots from the cold and help retain moisture.
Protect shrubs and trees. Though plants like blueberries do need a period of cold weather, they are vulnerable once they have flowered in the spring. Locate your frost covers now in preparation for a possible late spring cold snap. This will ensure your flowers turn into fruit.
5. Prepare Tools and Equipment
Clean and store garden tools. Before storing your tools for the winter, clean them to remove any dirt or plant material, sharpen blades, and apply a light coat of oil to prevent rust.
Drain and store hoses. Remove hoses from spigots, drain them completely, and store them indoors to prevent cracking during cold weather.
Turn off irrigation systems. If you use an irrigation system, drain and winterize it to avoid freezing and potential damage to pipes. Many timers should be disconnected and brought into the house or garage during winter so that any residual water left in the mechanics doesn’t freeze.
Winterize fountains. Turnoff pump and drain water from fountains. Insulated covers are available in various sizes to protect your structure from extreme temperatures.
6. Plan for Next Year
Take notes. Reflect on your garden’s successes and challenges from this season. Make notes about which plants performed well, what issues you encountered, and ideas for changes next year.
Order seeds early. If you have specific varieties you loved this year, consider ordering seeds early to avoid shortages in the spring.
Inspect garden structures. Check any garden infrastructure, such as trellises, fences, or cold frames, for damage. Repair any issues now before the spring rush.
7. Support Wildlife
Leave some habitat. If possible, leave some areas of your garden a little “messy” for wildlife. Piles of leaves, seed heads, and logs provide shelter for beneficial insects, birds, and small animals during winter.
Feed the birds. Set up bird feeders or suet stations to provide food for birds as natural food sources diminish.
Provide water for drinking and bathing. If you have a birdbath, continue to keep it filled during winter months.
9. Plant Garlic
Plant garlic in the fall. If you want to harvest garlic next summer, plant garlic cloves in your garden before the ground freezes. Garlic overwinters in the soil and will start growing again in the spring.
10. Enjoy Your Garden’s Winter Rest!
After all your hard work, give yourself some time to relax and enjoy the winter season. Your garden will be quietly resting and getting ready for a productive new season next year.
