First frost in the garden: which three tasks still have to be done

Created: 09/25/2022, 08:46

By: Anna Katharina Kusters

When the first frost comes, it is already too late for many plants without winter protection - they freeze to death.

That's why it's worth making provisions in September.

Hamburg – Frosty nights, snow and rain are not uncommon in winter.

Even if those days in September still seem very far away, it takes some time to prepare for winter and the first frost.

That's why gardening enthusiasts should start now and gradually prepare plants and shrubs, but also the lawn, for the icy period.

First frost in the garden: 3 things you need to do beforehand

Anyone who owns a garden is rarely bored.

Because even when winter is approaching, there are still a lot of tasks to be done.

For example, preparing for winter.

Depending on what else is planned in the garden, gardeners should not wait too long with these work steps.

Three things are particularly important before the first frost.

The lawn must be well prepared for the first frost (symbol image).

© Nigel Kirby/Imago

First frost in the garden: 1. Don't forget to take care of the lawn

The lawn doesn't seem to need much help in the winter when it's under a thick blanket of snow or ice.

But in order for it to survive this part of the garden year without rotten spots, a few steps are needed before the first frost.

In the first step, gardeners remove leaves lying on the lawn, pluck weeds from the lawn and remove moss that is growing too large.

Then comes the last cut of the lawn.

The blades of grass should then still be six centimeters long so that they are not so vulnerable to frost and cold.

Then it is ready for fertilizing.

The fertilizer should not contain nitrogen or phosphorus, because these substances stimulate growth.

A high potassium content is better.

According to the Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), plant fans must water the lawn well after fertilizing.

Liming of the lawn is then due in February*.

First frost in the garden: 2. Put the furniture away and plant the last plants

If gardeners are planning a redesign or new planting, this must be done before the first frost.

The ground is still relatively warm, but above all loose.

This will help young plants to root well in the fall before it gets really cold.

Even perennials, which they now divide, still manage to find their way around in their new place and bloom again in spring.

In addition to the plants, garden furniture also needs some attention.

Garden furniture is made of the following materials:

• wood

• plastic

• rattan

• metal

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Depending on the material, plant fans have to deal with the garden furniture differently.

Wood needs to be coated with oil again before the first frost, but plastic furniture tolerates the cold very well and doesn't even have to be put inside.

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First frost in the garden: 3. Prepare beds

Many plants need a certain cold stimulus before they even germinate.

This seed must be buried before the first frost so that it can develop well.

The situation is similar with early bloomers such as daffodils, tulips or crocuses.

The bulbs need the cold stimulus so that they sprout again and provide food for the first bees in spring.

If you plant them in the ground using the lasagne method, you will be happy to see colorful flowers early in the spring.