Preparing Your Garden Beds for Winter

Before Ontario’s frost sets in, your garden beds need one last round of attention. While plants may be slowing down, your soil is still alive and active beneath the surface — and preparing it properly now will make all the difference come spring.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to winterize your garden beds through mulching, soil prep, and protective care, so your landscape wakes up stronger, healthier, and ready to grow next season.

❄️ Why Garden Bed Prep Matters in Fall

As temperatures drop, garden beds face stress from freezing, thawing, and moisture fluctuations. Without preparation, you risk:

• 🌱 Soil compaction and erosion from heavy snow and rain
• 🍂 Nutrient loss as organic matter breaks down unevenly
• 🪵 Root damage to perennials and shrubs
• 🧊 Frost heaving, which pushes roots out of the soil

A few fall maintenance steps now ensure your soil stays rich and protected all winter long — ready for planting in spring.

🪴 Step-by-Step: How to Winterize Garden Beds

1. Clear Out Spent Plants and Weeds

• Remove dead annuals and trim back perennials.
• Pull out weeds completely so they don’t return in spring.
• Compost only healthy plants — discard diseased ones to prevent contamination.

2. Add Compost or Soil Amendments

• Spread 1–2 inches of compost or organic matter across garden beds.
• Gently mix it into the top layer of soil to enrich nutrients.
• For heavy clay or sandy soils, add peat moss or aged manure to balance structure.

3. Topdress with Mulch

Mulching is your garden’s winter coat. It protects roots, conserves moisture, and prevents soil erosion.

✔️ Organic mulch options: shredded leaves, bark, straw, or compost
✔️ Depth: apply 2–3 inches around perennials, shrubs, and bulbs
✔️ Tip: keep mulch a few inches away from stems to prevent rot

🌟 Bonus: Mulch breaks down over time, naturally improving soil health for next year.

4. Protect Perennials & Bulbs

• Cut back perennials and cover crowns with mulch or straw.
• Plant bulbs like tulips or daffodils before the ground freezes.
• Use burlap wraps to shield delicate shrubs from cold winds.

5. Water Deeply Before Frost

Give garden beds one last thorough watering before the ground freezes — especially if it’s been a dry fall. Moist soil insulates roots better than dry soil.

🌿 Pro Tip: Don’t Forget Your Edging and Bed Borders

Clean, defined edges prevent mulch from spilling and keep your garden beds looking neat all winter. Fall is also a great time to redefine garden borders or add stone edging while the ground is still workable.

🏡 Professional Mulching & Garden Bed Prep in Ontario

At Contract Link, we help homeowners across Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Cambridge, Hamilton, and Brantford winterize their garden beds the right way.

✔️ Fall mulching and compost topdressing
✔️ Bed cleanups and soil amendment services
✔️ Perennial pruning and root protection
✔️ Seasonal edging and border redefinition

👉 Book Your Fall Mulching & Bed Prep Service Today

Protect your soil, your plants, and your investment — prepare your garden beds this fall for a beautiful, thriving spring comeback. 🌷🍂❄️