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Aug 14, 2016 8:45 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dave
Southern wisconsin (Zone 5b)
Japanese Maples Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Pollen collector Peonies Lilies
Irises Hybridizer Hummingbirder Dog Lover Daylilies Clematis
In the spring time I built my raised bed, and soon I'll be adding to that raised bed for some fall planting. Is there anything I should do to help protect the bulbs in there for winter other than a good layer of mulch?
Avatar for luvmyseeds
Sep 14, 2016 6:18 AM CST
Name: Linda
South East Wi (Zone 5b)
Some of my lilies are in 3 raised beds. 4'x8' x 10" high. When I first planted them I was concerned about the winter and thought
about lining the outside of the beds with straw bales. Well, that never got done. But I did put down a good layer of mulch
and they all made it thru 3 winters here in SW Wisconsin.
Avatar for MichiganMike
Sep 14, 2016 11:08 AM CST

Yes, certainly mulch...the tricky part is when, anytime is beneficial but then there is the school of thought of adding more mulch and or pine branches after the ground has frozen - see Rick's (Leftwood) posting that kicks off the thread "What did you do today", and you can read what Rick is doing at around the end of December to his lily beds. Some good information there.
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Sep 14, 2016 4:22 PM CST
Name: Lorn (Roosterlorn)
S.E Wisconsin (Zone 5b)
Bee Lover Lilies Pollen collector Seed Starter Region: Wisconsin
Winterizing raised beds for lilies in Southern Wisconson or anywhere along an east-west line laterally is pretty much care free. There are a couple 'key points' that should be followed, however.

1. Do not apply the winterizer mulch until the ground is frozen hard enough to support you without breaking or cracking the frozen crust. For locations like Southern Wisconsin that generally is around Christmas time. The reason for wanting a good, lasting frozen soil layer is to keep rodents like voles and field mice from digging down and eating the bulbs during the winter.

2. Keep the winterizer mulch on until later in the Spring. Remember, without mulch, the soil temperature in your raised garden would warm faster than the soil in a regular garden. So removing it too early can result in earlier than usual emergence of noses and an increased risk of frost damage. In that sense, we want the mulch to hold the cold 'in' a little while longer.

The type of mulch materials used is pretty much up to whatever is convenient and available for the gardener. Smiling
Avatar for freezengirl
Oct 3, 2016 11:04 PM CST
Minnesota and Alaska (Zone 3a)
Quick question: I have maybe a dozen gallon pots with seedlings growing in them (I forgot about them!) that I started from seed late this winter/early spring in winter sown outdoor pots. They all look quite healthy but I am not sure quite what to do with them for winters fast approach. Can I just leave them potted up and do the heavy mulching after the ground has frozen or should I put them in the unheated garage/cool basement for the winter? I can't remember offhand what type they are either and can't find any of my garden notes in this chaotic move to this new home. Sighing!
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