How to Winterize Your Garden in Toronto for a Healthy Spring
As a Toronto-based Landscape Designer, I know how much effort goes into creating beautiful landscapes. But here’s the thing, if you don’t prepare your gardens for winter, all that work can go to waste. Cold winds, snow cover, and fluctuating temperatures can damage plants and flower buds, compact soil, and invite pests to settle in.
That’s why winterizing your garden is so important to ensure you’ll enjoy seeing all your plants thrive the following spring. With a little preparation in the fall, you’ll protect your plants and soil so everything bounces back stronger the following year.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through step by step how I help my clients prepare their gardens the winter climate in Toronto.
1. Start Weeding and Clearing Early
Weeding may feel pointless in the fall—after all, weeds will die when the frost hits—but leaving them behind allows seeds to overwinter in the soil. Come spring, they’ll be the first to sprout.
As you weed, remove:
Dead or dying perennials
Rotten produce in vegetable beds
Diseased foliage
By clearing early, you’ll save yourself a battle with pests and disease when warm weather returns.
Learn more about weeding strategies that will keep your beds clear all season.
Gardener weeding and removing dead plants in garden.
2. Turn and Enrich the Soil
Healthy soil equals healthy plants. After clearing beds, rake and turn the soil. This helps:
Break up compacted soil
Expose overwintering pests
Mix in organic matter
I recommend adding compost at this stage. Nutrients will slowly break down over winter, giving your garden a head start in spring.
Homeowner enriching garden soil with compost before winter freeze
3. Mulch and Cover Garden Beds
Mulching is one of the best ways to protect plant roots during a Toronto winter. Spread a thick layer (2–4 inches) of shredded leaves, bark, or straw around perennials and shrubs.
Why mulch matters:
It insulates roots from freeze-thaw cycles
Prevents soil erosion
Locks in moisture
For delicate plants like irises and Black-Eyed Susans, add an extra mulch layer once the ground freezes.
For more on seasonal mulch care, see Mulching and Protecting Your Garden: What to Do This Fall in Toronto.
2” of mulch being added around a Hosta in a garden bed.
4. Cut Back Select Perennials
Not all perennials should be cut back, but some benefit from trimming down to 1–2 inches above soil level. These include:
Peonies
Daylilies
Irises
Cutting them back prevents blight, keeps the garden tidy, and ensures new growth isn’t smothered in spring.
PRO TIP: Don’t cut everything back! Plants like Coneflowers, Astilbe, ornamental grasses, and Butterly Bush provide structure and interest in winter as well as food for wildlife.
Cut-back perennials in Toronto garden beds with mulch applied for winter protection. This Peony was pruned back in fall and is starting to put on new spring growth.
5. Plant Fall Bulbs for Spring Colour
Fall is the perfect time to plant bulbs like Allium, Snowdrops, Tulips, Crocuses, Daffodils, Bluebells, etc. Plant in clusters of 5–10 for the best display, with pointed tips facing up. By planting in fall, the bulbs have just enough time to establish roots before the soil freezes, ensuring early blooms when spring arrives.
For inspiration, check out our European Charm design, which features bulbs layered with perennials for year-round interest.
6. Wrap Young Trees and Evergreens
Toronto winters can cause “winter burn” on evergreens—brown, brittle patches caused by sun and wind. Protect them by wrapping them in burlap.
PRO TIP: Before the first hard freeze, water deeply around the base of young trees. This helps them stay hydrated when the ground freezes.
Evergreen trees wrapped in burlap to prevent winter burn in a garden.
7. Protect Pots and Containers
Clay and ceramic pots can crack in freezing weather. To protect them:
Move containers to a shed or garage
Wrap them in bubble wrap or burlap
Store perennials in containers under cover, watering lightly every few weeks
Annuals can be cleared out and replanted in spring, but containers themselves need protection from freeze damage.
8. Cover Raised Beds with Plastic (Solarization)
Raised beds are more exposed to cold winds. By covering them with UV-resistant plastic, you trap warmth, protect soil, and kill off overwintering pests.
To solarize:
Moisten the soil.
Cover tightly with clear plastic.
Secure edges with stones or soil.
This method not only protects the bed but also refreshes the soil for spring.
9. Add a Protective Layer to Shrubs and Roses
Tender shrubs and roses benefit from added insulation. Use shredded leaves, straw, or burlap to mound around the base. For climbing roses, tie stems loosely and cover with burlap for added protection.
10. Build or Invest in a Greenhouse
If you want to garden through the winter, a greenhouse is the ultimate solution. Even a small cold frame can extend your season. For dedicated gardeners, investing in a cold-climate greenhouse means fresh greens and herbs year-round.
11. Don’t Forget Your Lawn
Winterizing isn’t just for garden beds—your lawn needs prep too. Rake leaves, mow slightly lower than summer height, and consider applying a fall fertilizer. This ensures your lawn greens up quickly in spring.
See how we integrate lawns and garden beds in our Backyard Refresh design.
12. Plan for Next Year
Winter is the perfect time to dream. While your garden sleeps, review what worked, what didn’t, and where you’d like to add more perennials or hardscaping. If you’re ready for a bigger change, our landscape and design services can transform your outdoor spaces into four-season retreats!
FAQ: Winterizing Your Garden in Toronto
Do I need to mulch my garden every winter?
Yes—mulch insulates roots, prevents soil erosion, and reduces weed growth in spring.
What should I not cut back before winter?
Leave ornamental grasses, coneflowers, and plants with seed heads for winter interest and bird food.
Can potted perennials survive Toronto winters?
Yes, if moved into a sheltered space and watered occasionally. Otherwise, extreme cold may damage roots.
When is the best time to start winterizing?
Start in late September to early October before the first hard frost.
Is it worth investing in a greenhouse?
If you want year-round gardening, yes. Even a small cold frame can extend your growing season significantly.
Final Thoughts
Winter may feel like the end of the gardening season, but it’s really the beginning of next year’s success. By weeding, mulching, cutting back perennials, wrapping trees, and protecting containers, you give your garden the best chance to thrive in spring.
Whether you want to simplify with hardy perennials, design a pollinator-friendly space, or completely rethink your front and backyard landscaping, winter prep is key to lasting results.
If you’d like personalized help creating a year-round landscape, explore our inspiration gallery or contact me for a consultation. Together, we can design a garden that flourishes through every Toronto season.
