Tucking Your Garden In: The Regenerative Way

As the summer comes to an end and as your garden is slowing down, don't hang up your gardening tools just yet! There are still some very important tasks that need to be done before the winter comes. These regenerative steps are crucial to help your garden over the winter and provide nutrients for next season. 

Step 1: Clean Up

Debris clean up: 

It is especially important to remove plants that have been infected with diseases and/or pests and dispose of them in the garbage. This prevents diseases and pests overwintering in the soil.

Chop and Drop Method: 

A regenerative method of preparing your garden for winter is to chop your plants a few inches above the ground and drop the plant to decompose, which adds another layer of organic matter to the soil. Avoid chopping and dropping any unwanted plants that have gone to seed, as well as unhealthy plants. *

Step 2: Add a Layer of Nutrients: 

It is important to add nutrients to your garden beds in the fall, as this is the last opportunity to give your soil what it needs to be ready in the spring. Add a layer of Worm Manure to enrich the soil with biology, provide plant nutrients, as well as help restore the soil structure. 

Step 3: Spread Mulch:

In addition to the dropped plants, adding a layer of Mulch after the ground freezes on top of your Worm Manure provides a layer of Organic Matter to your soil. Organic Matter is essential and slowly adds nutrients to the soil over the decomposition process. Mulch is also a great form of erosion control for the soil, it acts as a protective layer from heavy rain, wind, and ice, as well as when the snow melts in the spring it ensures that little to no top soil is washed away. 

Other Pro Tips: 

1. Clean your tools→ Make sure you give your gardening tools a good clean to prevent rust, diseases, and pests. 

2. Remember to plant any over winter crops→ for example your garlic and spring bulbs.

3. Water Perennial Plants→ Water them thoroughly up until the ground freezes. It is suggested to water until soil is saturated every 10-14 days if a heavy rainfall hasn't occurred. 

4. Avoid Tilling→ Tilling can cause nutrient leaching and can cause soil erosion over time, avoid overturning or digging up your soil to help maintain structure and composition. 

*Fun Facts: 

• Leaving any hollow stalks to at least 30cm provides a cozy home for beneficial insects. 

• Leave seedheads of flowers for a food source for birds in the winter.