How do I prepare raised beds for winter?

Preparing your raised beds for winter protects your soil health and sets you up for success come spring. The first step is to remove any spent plants and debris to prevent the spread of diseases from one growing season to the next. After cleanup, cover your soil with mulch or blankets of protection to limit erosion and loss of nutrients. These efforts will help to protect the health of your raised beds over the cold months.

Enhance soil structure during the wintertime. Add finished compost before mulching. Earthworms will continue to decompose organic matter, regardless of the cold temperatures. The freeze-thaw cycle naturally breaks up clumps of soil. This will establish ideal planting conditions for early spring crops.

Protect bed structures from damage caused by ice and snow in winter. Ensure that loose boards are securely fastened and will not lift in the wind. Cover the untreated wood edges with a waterproof membrane. Completely drain any irrigation systems. These measures will help prevent expensive repairs and significantly extend the lifetime of the beds.

Make spring plantings in the winter lull. Test soil pH with home test kits. Make sketches of crop rotation plans. Place your orders for early varieties of seeds. By doing this, you are ready to go as soon as the temperature rises. I assure you, my best gardens come from good winter planning efforts.

Preserve beneficial microbial activity with adequate insulating cover. Soils will keep microbes active down to temperatures slightly above 40°F. A thick, insulating layer of mulch will keep the soil temperature above this threshold. Active microbes continue to cycle nutrients. After winter dormancy, the soil is enriched through all these processes.

Read the full article: 10 Key Benefits of Raised Beds for Your Garden