Fall is a good time to get your garden ready for the cold of winter and for spring. There are plenty of tasks to do, including pulling dead annuals and perennials, clearing flower beds, and mulching. In addition, don't forget to clean your garden tools so that they are ready to go come springtime. Here are some more tasks to complete in the garden during the fall.
Dig up and Store Summer Bulbs Before Winter
Cooler climates are not hospitable enough for many summer-blooming bulbs, such as iris, dahlias and gladiolus. Dig up these more tender bulbs and store them indoors over the colder months.
Cut Back Annuals and Perennials in Fall
Pull annuals and cut back any perennials that won’t make it through the winter. However, perennials that drop seeds and regenerate, such as black-eyed Susans, sunflowers and cone flowers, should be left – the birds will snack on the seeds in the cold winter months when food is less plentiful.
Most herb plants should be pulled as well; in most climates, they are too tender to last the cold winter. Chives, however, are quite hearty and can withstand the winter – just cut them back to a few inches tall in the fall and they’ll pop up again in the spring. Also pick off any blossoms or the seeds will spread and eventually take over your garden.
Pull Weeds to Prepare Soil for Spring Planting
Get your soil ready for springtime by clearing out any stray weeds now. A layer of mulch will also help to smother any stragglers and keep your soil clear for springtime planting.
Plant Spring Blooming Bulbs in the Fall
Plant daffodils, tulips and other spring-blooming bulbs now for blossoms at the start of the new year. Read more about spring-flowering bulbs here.
Put Down a Layer of Mulch
Cover the garden and any flower beds with a new layer of mulch to help cover and feed the soil for spring planting. For an inexpensive and “green” mulch, use autumn leaves. If you have a mulching lawn mower, just run the mower over your lawn with the mower bag attached, and spread the chopped-up leaves over your garden.
Keep Gardening Tools Clean
Be sure your tools will be in tip top shape for spring by wiping them down with a damp cloth. Follow with a coat of mineral oil or olive oil rubbed in with a clean cloth to give them extra insurance against rusting over the cold winter months.
Keep a Gardening Journal
A gardening journal is a great way to keep track of what worked and what didn’t work in your garden. In the fall, as the garden begins to wane, take note of this, as well as which plants did especially well this year. Also keep track of the annuals you might have planted and where they were planted. Keeping track year to year helps to pinpoint the best dates to plant your garden and when to expect your first harvest.
Related Articles: Essential Tools for Gardening
 |
