How do I winterize my veggie garden?

Now that freezing temperatures are in the forecast, it seems like garden clean up is in the air (at least when the air quality drops to moderate or good) this week. What essential garden get-to-do tasks should you get done?

Irrigation: Disconnect your hoses and timers from your hose bibs and reach out to a local professional to blow out irrigation lines (if you haven’t already).

Clean up: You don’t need to pull every plant out of your garden. Cut annuals at the base of their stems (especially legumes) and leave their roots in the soil in locations where you won’t replant until the spring.

Mulch: We suggest applying 1/4”- 1/2” layer of compost to the top of your raised beds to then work in as an amendment in the spring. You can use pine needles, dried grass clippings, straw, or shredded leaves as additional mulch, too!

Plant: Work your compost into your soil now before planting garlic, shallots, hardy spinach, and/or mache.