Caring for a Winter Garden

Have you ever noticed how a true winter garden in only really possible in certain areas of the world? The reason for this is that most plants don't do all that well in extreme cold, such as what you get in areas that receive heavy snow. That being said, whether you are living in an area that receives heavy snowfall or reside in an area that has a milder climate, caring for a winter garden is pretty much the same. Follow these guidelines, and you will know enough of the basics to get started.

• Clean up. Perhaps one of the most basic of all steps in caring for a winter garden is to do some proper clean up. It is always a good idea to do this clean up prior to any frost, snow, or ice forming on the ground. Not only is it easier to clean up a garden area when there is no snow or ice on the ground, if you don't you can end up encouraging a host of issues that can potentially cause problems for your garden later in the year.
• Provide wind cover. The harsh winter wind is a very nasty element that you will need to protect your winter garden from. One way you can do this is by making miniature "green houses" or tents out of plastic. While it may not seem like much, this little bit of plastic can be a huge help in breaking the wind that assaults many plants during the winter. When this action is taken in conjunction with proper bedding, you can also help raise the temperature around your plants significantly.
• Prepare the bedding. For those plants that you don't remove from the cold weather, by bringing them inside your home or placing them in a greenhouse, you should prepare some bedding properly. On the average, by simply laying down some mulch, to a depth of around three inches, you will be able to help protect the ground and the roots of the plant. This is best done prior to the first frost, and when done properly you can retain the heat in the ground longer, and help protect the plant from the harsh elements.
• Know your plants and region. It is vitally important to know which plants will work best in your region. In addition to the plants, you also need to know what the typical weather is like in your region. By knowing these two bits of information, you can easily make plans, get the right tools and material, as well as in numerous other ways as well.

Now that you know what the basic guidelines of caring for a winter garden are, you can begin planning. Keep in mind that even knowing, and following, these guidelines doesn't mean that you will be ready for every eventuality. There will still be times when a problem crops up every now and again. That is simply the way things are when dealing with nature. Have fun!