Once temperatures start dancing around freezing, it’s time to prepare your perennials for the winter season. Protecting perennials is simple: A few easy steps will ensure your garden is ready to flourish in the spring. A little bit of extra love now will pay off before you know it. Here are the four things every Southerner should do to prepare perennials for winter.

Assess Your Plants

Each perennial in your garden may have unique needs to withstand the colder months. Take time to research the specific requirements for each plant to ensure they receive the right care to return stronger and more vibrant in the spring and summer.

Now is also a great time to evaluate your garden’s performance. Examine each plant—did it thrive, or did it struggle? Identifying any issues now can help you set them up for success next year. Use this time to plan any relocations or welcome new additions to your garden, setting the stage for a beautiful season ahead.

Water Plants Well

Your perennials will need a deep watering before the temperatures drop too low. Start your winter prep by giving them a thorough soak to ensure their roots are well-hydrated for the colder months ahead. Be sure to water directly at the base of each plant, targeting the roots to combat the dryness of autumn soil. Repeat this for every plant in your garden. If you live in a region where snowfall and rainfall are scarce, consider watering your perennials about once a month throughout the winter to keep them healthy.

Get Rid of Weeds

To prepare your garden bed for winter it is important to remove all weeds from the ground to give your perennials full use of the soil. Weeds can damage the root system and steal nutrients from your plants, making it more difficult for them to survive the cold winter. While pulling weeds, clean up any fallen foliage to prevent harmful insects or diseases from overwintering in your garden.

Clean Up Foliage

Remove any damaged or infested parts of your plants. This will allow the healthy parts of your plants to receive as much nutrients as possible to come back stronger in the spring. Trimming plants down to about six or eight inches can promote healthy growth in the spring and help prevent pests and diseases from infiltrating. Some perennials that benefit from pruning include bee balm, Shasta daisies, phlox, coreopsis, and catmint.

Perennials that are flourishing in your garden can remain tall. The foliage and stem system provide extra insulation and can help hold water in the winter months.

Consider Mulch

Not all perennials require mulch to make it through winter. In some cases, it can do more harm than good by trapping moisture and causing rot. However, there are situations where mulching can make a big difference:

1. Recently Planted Perennials
   Newly planted perennials haven’t had a chance to develop a deep root system yet. Mulch provides extra insulation to help them establish over the winter.
2. Cold-Sensitive Perennials
   Plants that struggle with low temperatures in your area can benefit from a mulch layer that shields their roots from extreme cold. This includes tender perennials like dahlias, cannas, gladiolus, agapanthus, and elephant ears.
3. Plants in Fluctuating Temperatures
   In regions with frequent freeze-thaw cycles, especially in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 and 8, soil can shift and expose roots to damage. Mulching helps keep the ground stable and prevents frost heaving.

A thicker layer of mulch, about two inches, is best for areas with frequent freezing and thawing cycles to better protect your plants and the soil.