Re: Winterizing Z5 (IL) perennial beds?

Hello Barb,
    You are right. Probably get as many answers as there are gardeners out there.
I go again all written wisdom and just follow nature around here. Also do what I
can when I can rather than follow schedules.
    When the leaves begin to accumulate on the lawn I begin to pick them up with
the lawn and garden tractor chopping them. They are emptied into the garden and
spread about 3 to 4 inches thick. Happens all during the last of October and much
of November. Still above normal temperatures here and I have no plans to wait
until the ground freezes to spread my mulch. Nature dorps the leaves now in the
woods, so I do the same. No way I am going to be out there in mid-winter freezing
my unmentionables off to mulch the garden.
    I do not cover plants themselves for the most part. Just mulch the ground
around unless they are completely dormant. Wind will carry some over the plants
during winter after the foliage dies back and fall over... I do, however, try and
get dead foliage from the garden so insects and diseases are not carried over from
year to year.
    I do not remove the leaves from my shade garden in spring. I have yet to see
Maw Nature come through and sweep the leaves from the forest floor come spring
cleaning time. They improve the soil and feed the plants at a low level.
    Have not seen any great evil befall me or the garden with this practice.
    Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
          around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: <WHTROS@aol.com>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 1999 2:12 AM
Subject: Winterizing Z5 (IL) perennial beds?


> OK, I know there are probably a dozen (at least) different answers to this.
> What do you do to protect your perennials over the winter?
> I have been raking my leaves onto my beds but I'm afraid that I may be
> smothering them.  I always have things that don't survive.  Or could I not be
> raking them off early enough in the spring?
>
> And this year, so many things are still green so I hate to cover them up yet.
> Would it be better to mulch the leaves and put them around the plants rather
> than actually covering them?  Would this hold true in years when everything
> is pretty much dead by now?
>
> What other methods do you suggest?
>
> Thanks again for all your wisdom!!
> Best Wishes --
> Barb
> USDA Zone 5, Rock Island, IL
> "What this country needs is dirtier fingernails & cleaner minds."  Will Rogers


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