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As the weather cools, autumn is the perfect time to prepare your garden for the winter months. Whether it’s your lawn, perennial beds, vegetable patches, or containers, this season of transition involves a mix of cleanup and preparation to ensure your garden thrives come spring.
Ready Your Lawn for Winter
Handle Fallen Leaves
Thick layers of leaves can smother your grass. Rake up excess leaves or, if the layer isn’t too dense, mow over them to chop them into smaller pieces that will decompose and enrich the soil.
Seed, Sod, and Aerate
Late fall’s cooler temperatures and rainfall create ideal conditions for seeding new lawns or repairing existing ones. Also, aerate high-traffic areas annually to alleviate soil compaction. For other areas, every 2-3 years is sufficient.
Manage Weeds
Fall is a time when many lawn weeds become more active. Keep them in check to avoid spring infestations.
Prepare Perennial Gardens
Remove Weeds and Diseased Plants
Clear weeds now to minimize problems in spring. Also remove any plants showing signs of disease or pests to prevent issues next year.
Add Mulch
Apply a 4- to 5-inch layer of mulch over perennials once the ground is frozen to protect the roots.
Plant Spring-Blooming Bulbs
Late September or October is the best time to plant bulbs like tulips and daffodils.
Water Regularly
Continue watering perennials until the ground freezes, as their roots still grow and benefit from hydration.
Refresh Your Vegetable Garden
Clean Out Beds
Remove plant debris to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering.
Store Accessories
Gather stakes, labels, and other garden tools and store them for reuse next season.
Add Compost
Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost over your beds to enrich the soil naturally.
Plant Cover Crops
Sow cover crops like mustard, peas, or clover to prevent erosion and improve soil fertility. Turn them under in spring to add nutrients..
Care for Trees and Shrubs
Plant New Trees and Shrubs
Continue planting deciduous trees and shrubs until about a month before the ground freezes. Evergreen species also benefit from fall planting but do well in spring as well.
Water Adequately
Ensure both new and established trees and shrubs are well-watered before winter. Extra water is especially important for evergreens.
Replenish Mulch
Add a fresh layer of mulch around trees and shrubs to protect roots from cold temperatures, but keep mulch away from the trunks to prevent rot.
Prune Wisely
Avoid pruning deciduous trees and shrubs until after they’ve gone dormant to prevent winter damage.
Clean Up Annuals and Containers
Empty Containers and Clear Flower Beds
Clean out pots and planters to prevent damage from freezing and thawing. Store them in a dry, protected area. Remove dead annual plants to prepare your beds for new spring flowers.
Save Seeds
Collect seeds from annuals like petunias and cosmos, label them, and store them in a cool, dry place.
Dig Up Tender Bulbs
For tropical bulbs and tubers that won’t survive the winter, dig them up once the foliage turns brown and store them in a cool, dry place.
Take Cuttings
Snip cuttings from favorites like coleus and geraniums before the first frost. Root them indoors to enjoy some winter color and replant them outside in spring.
With these fall gardening tips, you’ll set the stage for a thriving garden come spring. Take the time now to ensure your outdoor spaces are well-prepared for the winter months ahead.
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