Using Winter Garden Beds

The cold winds are blowing. The garden produced a lot this year, but now it's time to pack up the garden gear and keep it safe until the spring thaws of next year. But how do you get the kids involved? Discuss and show the importance of cleaning up and preparing for the garden's winter sleep

Sow living mulch
Before too many hard frosts or freezes make the ground too hard to sow anything, sow in some living mulch. Living mulch is actual seed that grows. Some living mulch grows during colder weather and may even grow during mild winters. This adds nutrients to the soil.

Living mulch is another name for cover crops. When used properly, they help with soil erosion too. Have the kids sow the seeds across the beds, even if plants are growing there still. Let this living mulch continue to grow.

Mulcshing the winter garden beds
Late fall is the time to pull up the rest of the plants in the garden beds. The kids should enjoy donning the garden gloves and pulling the plants and any weeds that have snuck in the last days of the growing season. For tough plants, dig in the dirt around the plants to help get the root balls of the plants.

Wait until a hard frost or the first freeze to mulch everything. That ensures the plant roots and most things have died. Mulch the whole garden bed. Use any mulch that you have on hand. Let the kids go on a mulch hunt. Grass clippings, fallen leaves and even newspaper can be used as a temporary mulch. Wood mulch or hay is better to ensure proper protection of the winter garden bed.

What is hay?
Hay is grass that's cured. It's perfect for mulching winter garden beds. Hay may contain some weed seeds, so be careful of what you buy. You can make your own hay by growing it during the spring and summer. In fall, cut it down and cure it. To cure the hay, let it dry in a place that has little or no moisture. Have the kids gather as much hay as they can into bundles. Then tie the bundles together and hang up in a shed, garage or basement to dry. Once it's dried, use it on the winter garden beds.

Leave it or pull it?
You and the kids should pull some plants before the ground freezes. However, some plants are left in the ground. Asparagus is a perennial, which means it keeps growing every year. Some flowers are perennials, such as cosmos and roses. Most other vegetables in the garden are annuals and won't come up the next year. Pull the plants that won't grow next year. There are advantages to pulling them in the fall rather than early spring. One great advantage is that you and the kids get the work of pulling the weeds out of the way and leave more time to prepare the gardens and plant.

If you pull the plants in the fall, mulch the whole garden beds for winter. This will keep the ground from completely freezing. It makes easier work next spring to work in the soil. Mulching also helps the remaining plants retain moisture through the dry winter cold.

Kids' garden tools
Finally, before the kids forget the garden and go on to winter things, have them clean and put away their garden tools. Hoses should be brought indoors to prevent freezing. Tools can be cleaned completely with mild detergent and water. Store tools inside a garage or shed to help protect them from harsh winter conditions. Bring in shovels, rakes and other garden tools so they don't get buried under snow.

It's time for the garden beds to sleep through the winter. Everything needs a rest. Enjoy a nice cup of hot cocoa with the kids and pat them on the back for preparing their gardens for a long winter's sleep.