Mulch, Moisture & Microbes: Protecting Your Soil All Winter Long

The Living Earth Beneath Our Feet

While the garden above ground rests, the soil below is anything but asleep. Even in December’s chill, roots breathe, microbes feast, and worms weave tunnels through the dark. How we treat our soil in winter determines how vibrant our gardens will be come spring.

At Yard Surgeons, we see soil as a living ecosystem, one that needs protection from the elements just like any other creature in your yard.

1. The Case for Mulch: Nature’s Blanket

Winter rain can leach nutrients and compact unprotected soil. Mulching prevents erosion, moderates temperature, and feeds microbial life. Choose natural, local materials like:

• Shredded leaves (free and full of nutrients)

• Composted wood chips from untreated sources

• Straw (great for veggie beds)

Aim for a 2-3 inch layer, thick enough to insulate, thin enough to let rainwater in.

2. Keep It Moist (But Not Muddy)

Soil organisms thrive on moisture and oxygen. Waterlogged soil, however, drives out air and suffocates roots. Create drainage pathways using gravel, logs, or gentle swales to guide excess rainwater toward planted areas. Rain gardens featuring Sword Fern, Red Columbine, or Slough Sedge help capture runoff while supporting biodiversity.

3. Feed the Microbes, Not Just the Plants

Healthy soil depends on fungal networks that share nutrients between plants. These networks break down organic matter and store carbon, your yard’s hidden climate heroes. Avoid synthetic fertilizers in winter; instead, apply a thin compost layer under your mulch. It’s slow-release food for the microbes that work year-round.

4. Roots Remember

Leaving roots in place after plants die back keeps soil structure intact and provides food for soil life as they decompose. Pull annuals only if diseased, otherwise, let them fade naturally.

Trust the Process

Winter soil care isn’t about control, it’s about cooperation. By mimicking forest floor ecology, we let nature do the heavy lifting. The result? Healthier soil, stronger plants, and a yard that quietly regenerates itself.

For more tips on creating a winter-friendly garden, visit yardsurgeons.ca.

604-351-3147 | @yard_surgeons