ALEXANDRIA
— After a cloudy, rainy summer and an unusually warm start to this extended fall, it might feel like winter is still holding off. But don’t let the mild temperatures fool you — now is the perfect time to prepare your garden for the cold months ahead.
One of the best things you can do? Add a protective layer of mulch to your perennials, strawberries, and even young trees and shrubs.
Why mulch matters: Mulch helps insulate the soil, reducing the risk of freeze-thaw cycles that can damage plant roots. These cycles can cause the crown of a plant to “heave” out of the ground, which may kill it. Mulch won’t prevent freezing entirely — this is Minnesota, after all — but it does help stabilize soil temperatures and protect vulnerable root zones.
Timing is everything: Wait until the ground begins to freeze before applying mulch. Ideally, get it down before the first heavy snow. Early snowfalls often melt away, leaving exposed soil at risk. In spring, don’t rush to remove mulch — let the soil warm gradually. Watch for signs of new growth and remove mulch when plants begin to emerge.
What to use:
Shredded leavesPine needlesHay or straw (weed-free is best)Wood chips or Pine bark nuggets
Apply 4-6 inches for perennials. Be aware that mulch can attract mice or other rodents, but most perennials aren’t significantly affected.
Don’t forget your strawberries. Once they’ve acclimated to cooler temperatures, mulch them with 4–6 inches of clean straw — oats, wheat, soybean straw, or even cornstalks (though they can be harder to handle). Avoid leaves, which can mat down and trap moisture, potentially forming damaging ice.
New trees and shrubs need protection too. If you planted any woody plants this past summer, their root systems are still developing and especially vulnerable to winter stress. Apply 2–4 inches of mulch around the base, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot — donuts, not volcanoes. This helps insulate the root zone and retain moisture through winter.
Give your garden a head start. Mulching now helps your plants survive winter and thrive in spring. Just remember to monitor conditions and remove mulch at the right time to avoid mold or weak growth.
Want more tips? Visit
extension.umn.edu
for seasonal gardening advice and resources.
“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” — Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass
Robin Trott
is a horticulture educator with University of Minnesota Extension. Contact her at 320-762-3890, or at
trot0053@umn.
Robin Trott
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