How do I winterize a new flower garden bed?

You can apply a 3-5" layer of compost that will help provide nutrients to the soil during the winter. Adding mulch and/or leaves from your yard will help to blanket the newer plants from the winter cold. You might also contact your County Extension Agent's office for additional advice. They are the best!

Some people put hay over their garden to help insulate it. Also can rake your leaves onto your garden , for the same reason.

Check with your local nursery.

I used to install perennial gardens in Ohio & you don't need to do anything. Ohio has some of the best growing conditions in the U.S..However.... Just have flowers-You can use Miracle Grow the regular formula and put it in a hose sprayer or just mix by gallon milk jug and add to base of plants(depends how large your garden is) if you use sprayer do it low around base of plants.If you have any edible herbs in garden you can use any bagged organic slow release plant food(I use Jobes) or what is "THE" best ever is chicken poop,rabbit poop,horse poop,goat poop. Just Google wherever you live to see who can supply it or if you see someone with a few animals see if you can just take/buy theirs. Just mix it well into soil after plants have died back around base of plants. Leaves do work especially the ones from the actual plants in your garden,some tree leaves are better than others but any leaves should be shredded before adding so they will be easier to compost. Start a small composting bin(old black-promotes more heat- trash can w/lid) use any plant waste from house,coffee grounds w/biodegradible filters,egg shells. add the organic Jobes too;it has organisms that help with composition.The earth in a garden is alive too. I'm excited for you I love plants,flowers & herbs encourage Butterflies,Bees & Hummingbirds which all help with pollination. Buy live Ladybugs & Praying Mantis Egg cases online to help with pest control so you stay away from pesticides and herbicides which kill the beneficial bugs which are much needed for pollinating the plants.Hand weeding as the weeds come up is best,and you'll feel good after working with the plants & in the earth itself.Add bulbs(Freesias-super fragrant), annuals(stock-fragrant) snapdragons(self seeding)or even some biennials(bloom 2nd year)with perrenials for xtra fullness until your perennials get going & fill out.Many tubers & bulbs can be separated so they'll spread. Let some of the seed heads mature on plant & collect their seeds for planting. Wow I could go on & on but I think that I covered the basics so you'll get a great garden. In 2 years your garden will be magnificent with color. Have fun