This October, we hosted our “Putting Your Garden to Bed for Winter” workshop with our very own horticultural expert, Rick Clark. It was a hands-on, knowledge-packed session focused on sustainable ways to prepare your garden and landscape for Nevada’s colder months.
Rick Clark is our in-house horticultural guru with over 40 years of green industry experience. His expertise in sustainable landscaping, plant health, and soil management continues to help Northern Nevada homeowners and businesses grow healthier, more resilient outdoor spaces.
For those who couldn’t make it, we wanted to share a few highlights and takeaways from Rick’s talk, just a glimpse of what we covered during the live session.
The Great Debate: To Leave or Not to Leave the Leaves?
At the workshop, Rick discussed one of the most common questions gardeners face each fall: Should you leave your leaves in the garden, or clear them out completely?
While many gardeners have heard that leaving leaves over winter is good for the soil, Rick explained that it’s not always that simple. A little leaf litter can enrich the soil, but too much can shelter pests and diseases that overwinter and return in spring.
.
What About the “Chop and Drop” Method?
Rick also talked about the popular “chop and drop” method, cutting back perennials and letting the debris decompose in place. While it can work in some gardens, he cautioned that this approach often needs refining. The key is understanding what your specific garden needs and balancing soil health with sanitation.
.
.
Why Sanitation Matters
From earwigs to cucumber beetles, Rick walked participants through the real-life examples of pests that thrive in leftover debris. His advice? Smart fall cleanup now means fewer pests and healthier soil come spring.
.
.
.
.
Want to Learn More?
These were just a few of the insights Rick shared at our workshop. Attendees also got personalised advice for their gardens, hands-on demos, and a step-by-step look at how to protect soil health and prepare for winter.
If you missed this event, don’t worry, we’ll be hosting more in the coming months! Keep an eye on our social pages or subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know about upcoming workshops, events and sales!
Recent Comments