Summer is ending and the colder temperatures will soon be upon us. It’s time to start thinking about how you can preserve your garden and all its fairy inhabitants through the long winter months. This is where overwintering comes in.
What is overwintering?
You may have heard the term “overwinter” or “overwintering” frequently in gardening circles, but what does it really mean? Overwintering refers to the process where you protect your plants from the harsh winter, whether that be by covering them, taking them inside, or sheltering them in a shed or other standing cover.
How to overwinter your fairy garden
If you are one of the lucky folks living where the snow doesn’t fall and there are no mittens and stocking caps in your closet, then nothing I’m saying may apply to you. If you have opted for an indoor fairy garden with artificial plants or with tropical plants that do well in the low light of a house, then you also might not find anything relevant here.
However, if your fairy garden is planted directly in the ground and you have chosen plants hardy to your zone, then keep reading. Make sure to bring your fairies in for the winter and let nature take its course. Do make sure that the ground doesn’t freeze dry, as that is a very efficient way to kill plants. You should continue watering your miniature garden plants until the ground freezes.
If your garden contains tender succulents, you can try overwintering in your greenhouse, sunroom, or bright, sunny room that maintains a temperature of at least 50 degrees. Watering should slow down in the winter. This may take some trial and error to see what works for you and your plants.
If you have your fairy garden in a container, even hardy plants won’t overwinter out of the insulation of the ground. Perennials, miniature trees and shrubs are not houseplants; they need a cold, dormant period in the winter. You can bring the container into an unheated garage, or porch, ideally somewhere about 32 to 50 degrees. The goal is to maintain dormancy without subjecting the plants to repeated freezing and thawing. Watering needs will be greatly reduced and you can let the soil get a bit dryer between watering, but be careful not to forget about them during this time.
How do I overwinter my fairy plants?
I opt for the easiest and most reliable method. A couple of weeks before the average first frost date, I take any hardy perennials out of the container and plant them directly into my flower garden, being sure to water them until the ground freezes. In the spring, I dig the plants I want to use and replant my container fairy garden. Most container gardens are overgrown by fall and ready for some editing and a re-do so this is an ideal method.
Remember that regardless which method you choose, overwintering your fairy garden should result in maintaining optimal plant health so you can have them flourish again in the spring!
FAQs
Perennials, miniature trees and shrubs are not houseplants; they need a cold, dormant period in the winter. You can bring the container into an unheated garage, or porch, ideally somewhere about 32 to 50 degrees. The goal is to maintain dormancy without subjecting the plants to repeated freezing and thawing.
How to protect a fairy garden from weather? ›
If the weather is pretty hard core in the winter like it is here, keep your garden underneath a protective cover (like on a porch). It really depends on how long you want it to last, but the additional spraying and then moving underneath cover will really extend the life of your items.
How to maintain a fairy garden? ›
Caring for your Fairy Garden
Always water gently, but thoroughly using a small container with a spout. If your garden is inside a good watering once a week is enough. If it is outside then it may need water every day. Fertilize at least once a month with an all purpose fertilizer 17-5-17 at ½ strength.
Can my fairy garden go outside? ›
You can easily have your fairy garden indoors and outdoors. Just make sure that the container you've selected will fit the space properly.
How do I put my garden to rest for winter? ›
Like your main garden plot, till it in, digging out as many weed and brush roots as possible to help avoid weed problems next year. Then work in as much organic material as you can, such as strawy manure, compost, or leaves. This will quietly rot during the winter, making the soil happy and healthy.
What should I do to winterize my garden? ›
5 Steps to Winterize your Garden
- Before freezing temperatures occur, make sure the soil around your plants has plenty of residual moisture. ...
- Don't apply fertilizer in the late fall. ...
- Avoid pruning trees or evergreen shrubs in the fall. ...
- The most important chore to prepare your garden for winter is mulching.
Many fairy gardens use planters, terra cotta pots, or galvanized buckets as their base, but anything that holds dirt will do. (Preferably it would be something with drainage holes in the bottom, to prevent your plants from getting waterlogged.)
How do I keep squirrels out of my fairy garden? ›
Not pepper flakes: the powder. And, you can find it in bulk at your local dollar store or inexpensively at your local Mexican grocer. Sprinkle it on the bare soil-spots in your miniature garden, fairy garden, or railroad garden, and the squirrel will move on to easier digs, literally.
What are the rules for a fairy garden? ›
RULES OF THUMB
- Don't use iron or nickel in the fairy garden as they will repel your fairies.
- Fairies appreciate when you recycle, compost and garden organically.
- Perfect playmates for fairies are fireflies, ladybugs and butterflies.
- Fairies have an affection for honey, sugar and sweet cakes.
“The basic elements of a fairy garden are miniature plants, fairies and their friends [like dogs, cats and ducks] and accessories,” says Bawden-Davis. “Accessories run the gamut, from tiny watering pails to little rakes and hoes to birdbaths, benches, gazebos and gazing globes.
Overwintering indoors
To preserve your fairy garden until the weather thaws in spring, keep a few things in mind. Mimic perpetual spring indoors by locating the fairy garden in a cool area of the home, such as a basem*nt or an unheated sunroom.
Where is the best place to put a fairy garden? ›
It is best to put it in an area where you can view it up close. Many fairy gardens have small accessories and small details that are best enjoyed up close. Once a location is chosen you can begin the fun. The easiest is to place your largest feature first.
Do fairy gardens like sun or shade? ›
Choosing a Location
Finding the perfect spot for your outdoor fairy garden requires a little thought. You'll want a spot that does not get direct sunlight. Being a mile high here in Colorado, the summer sun fades just about everything.
How do you winterize fairy lilies? ›
Now you can take care of your fairy lily.
- The last feeding in August.
- Let dry out to go dormant when leaves start to yellow about November.
- Overwinter in a cool dry place.
- Put in a sunny window and water in late mid to late March.
- Apply an all-purpose slow-release fertilizer.
- Watch stem burst forth.
In this article:
- 12 Steps to Winterize Your Garden. Know your USDA plant hardiness zone. Remove annual vegetables and flowers. Pull weeds. Bring your tender plants inside. Divide the perennials. Cover your vulnerable plants. Cull your compost pile. Insulate with mulching. Drain the irrigation water. ...
- FAQ about Winterizing a Garden.
