It’s time to clean out the garden and put it to bed for winter – but what’s the best way to protect your soil and prepare it for a great garden next year? Here are some tips for getting your garden ready for winter – as well as what NOT to do.

This short video demonstrates how to prepare your garden beds for the colder months, when you’re probably not going to be growing many crops. These tips will help protect your garden soil from wind and water erosion during the months when it’s not covered by the vegetation of your garden plants.

Raised beds work well in cooler climates, as they warm up more quickly the spring, so you can plant a bit earlier. But they are also prone to erosion and loss of nutrients over the winter. By adding some special amendments and covering them with the right materials, you can ensure a healthy and productive garden next season.