From heavy snow to harsh winds, there are many uncontrollable factors that can kill or damage your tender plants during winter. That is why preparing your garden beds for next year's seeds and seedling transplant before winter settles in brings a multitude of benefits to your yard. Such preparation can ward off weeds, prevent diseases in next season's crops, and promote overall soil health. In this article, we have listed three smart ways to winterize your yard and garden to help you identify the most essential tasks for getting your garden ready for the cold days ahead.
Keep Your Garden Beds Clean
While it can be tempting to slack off a bit on gardening tasks as the season winds down, it is important to get back to composting dead plants, pulling up stakes, tending weeds, and fixing all the other clutter. Aside from their unappealing aesthetics, old and infected plants can harbor pests and diseases. At the same time, they can house beneficial bugs as well. Take the time to remove and put aside these plants to avoid spreading disease to your healthy vegetation. Take advantage of this time to scoop out the last of this season's "black gold" to ensure a nutrient-rich environment for the upcoming spring season.
Create Winter Protection for Your Garden Beds
Winter brings grueling growing conditions to houseplants like chilly temperatures, shorter days, lower light levels, and dry air. The secret to helping plants survive winter is to add an extra layer of protection so they don't get blown away by harsh winter winds. It is advisable to use frost protection cloth, as fabrics are relatively easy to use, and they give you the ability to cover wide swaths. At the same time, engage in protective measures for your patio furniture to minimize damage during freezing temperatures. Removal and storage also give the lawn and plants beneath and around your furniture the chance to regrow and enjoy more sunlight and water.
Apply Extra Winter Mulch
For the last of our three smart ways to winterize your yard and garden, it is advisable to apply layers of winter mulch to retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds that absorb most of the nutrients in the ground. It also helps keep a steady temperature by blocking out the warmth of the sun to protect your plants from the damaging conditions of winter. When deciding which material to use for winter mulching, look for degradable and organic materials, such as shredded mulch, straw, pine needles, aged compost, or shredded leaves to allow the nutrients to break down into the soil.
A day to listen deeply, learn humbly, and honor the living wisdom of Native communities on Native Heritage Day on November 28th.
Opening Reflection
Native American Heritage Day is more than a mark on the calendar. It’s a living invitation to hear the first voices of this land, voices that carry stories of stewardship, innovation, courage, and care. As we step into this observance, we honor the people whose cultures, languages, and traditions continue to shape our shared future.
Artificial intelligence isn’t just a theory from science fiction anymore. It’s reshaping industries all over the world, and construction is right at the center of this shift. From automated machines on job sites to smart data analytics behind the scenes, AI's role in shaping the future of construction is about more than efficiency; it’s changing how people build, design, and manage structures. Instead of simple automation, we're seeing smarter, more responsive worksites that can adapt to challenges faster than ever.
Picture this: the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden glow across your patio. Laughter fills the air as you grill steaks to perfection, a chilled drink in hand from your outdoor refrigerator.
Owning a car provides incredible freedom, but it also carries the responsibility of basic upkeep and preparation for unexpected events. You cannot predict every issue, but a curated kit turns a major headache into a minor inconvenience.
Thanksgiving on November 27th this year is more than a meal; it’s a stage for storytelling. Families are rediscovering the joy of sharing origin tales, funny mishaps, and heartfelt memories. Some hosts place a “story card” at each seat with prompts like “What tradition would you invent?” or “What are you most grateful for this year?” These sparks of conversation transform dinner into a living archive of family history. Recording or writing down these stories ensures they’ll be cherished for generations.
