All else aside, in a time where more and more people are understanding and nurturing the natural world, most appreciate the varied forms and textures which result from leaving the garden standing in winter.  For the few remaining, a bit of education on the benefits should suffice to change their minds – even just a simple pamphlet.

Up until the last few years everyone turned the soil in the fall.  Now we know that this damages soil structure and moves new weed seeds into the germination zone.  No-till culture is easier, cheaper and healthier for the environment.  It is far better to mulch with composted pine mulch every spring to keep weeds down and keep moisture in.  The mulch also provides nutrients and supports the growth of beneficial fungi and bacteria.

Although cities offer leaf pick-up services, it doesn’t make sense to use gas and diesel engines to pile, haul, turn and mulch them, then bring them back to our gardens.  Nature offers a better alternative!  Mulching leaves into the garden and into the lawn is not only more environmentally friendly but it also returns nutrients to the soil.  It’s cheaper and faster.

Most pruning should be left until the spring although there is one exception.  Often we wrap narrow evergreens to stop the snow from pulling them open.  Shearing them in the fall to give them tight growth and remove ‘feathery’ bits will stop the snow from sitting on them and weighing them down.  This October shearing is more and more effective every year that it’s done and also gives a formal look to the winter landscape.

Wrapping only needs to be done with newly planted evergreens to stop them from drying out in the winter winds.  Really, this is only an issue for the first year.  It was pointed out by a garden designer with a sense of humour, “What’s the point in planting an evergreen if we have to wrap it in the winter and won’t be able to see it?”  Better to plant material that’s hardy enough to not need wrapping and treat it culturally well.  It’s important after a dry fall to give evergreens, (and broad-leafed evergreens such as Rhododendrons), a deep watering in the fall to be sure they have enough water in the needles, leaves and twigs to make it through the winter.  Remember, with the soil frozen, they won’t be able to take up water until the spring.

All these methods take a shift from the way we’ve been working for years but they will pay off in plant health.  They’re easier, more eco-friendly, and, in most cases more visually appealing.  They save money and time.  These are all good things.  Letting go of outdated ideas is hard but worthwhile. 

Sean James is the owner of Fern Ridge Landscaping & Eco-consulting.  He is a graduate of the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture and sits on several committees including Landscape Ontario’s Environmental Stewardship Committee and the Invasive Plant Council’s Horticultural Outreach Collaborative.  Some of his other articles are published at www.fernridgelandscaping.com.  Comments and questions are welcome at sdjames@on.aibn.com.