Now that the fog has rolled in again, it is time to focus our attention on the garden in preparation for the predicted El Niño winter and a wetter than average rainy season. Even though the Bay Area climate is mild, there are still some essential — and relatively easy — things you can do to winterize your garden, which will maintain its health and set the stage for an abundant spring. 

Steps for winterizing your garden:

1. Get rid of unwanted and diseased plants, including those with powdery mildew or aphid infestations. 

2. Pull out flowering annuals and summer vegetables once they are no longer producing. Leave seed heads alone for another few months so birds can continue to feast. 

3. Prune back perennial herbs, shrubs, and vines. This is a good opportunity to remove dead wood and scale back bushes that have outgrown their space. It's ideal to prune roses later in the year (I do mine on New Year’s Day — although our local gopher has diminished my inventory severely).

4. Water the entire garden deeply so moisture penetrates beyond the top 3" - 5" of soil. If you have an irrigation system, run it longer than usual to ensure a thorough soaking. 

5. Tackle the renegade weeds and other invasive plants once the ground is sufficiently wet. Grab the plant close to the ground at its growing source so that you’re sure to remove the root ball. 

6. Replace nutrients by incorporating organic matter into your beds, such as dead leaves or pre-blended compost. Gently mix in the additives using your hands or a small spade.

7. Apply a generous layer of mulch throughout, which insulates roots from frost, protects beds from erosion, retains moisture, and keeps weeds at bay. Planting dense cover crops such as fava or clover has the benefit of adding nitrogen to the soil to give spring plants a boost. 

8. Keep bird baths and feeders full while waiting for the winter rains to begin.

9. Last but not least, clean and sharpen your tools. 

These simple steps can be done over several weeks or over a single weekend. Most importantly, have fun — go ahead and get your hands dirty!