Preparing your garden for fall is crucial to ensure it remains healthy and ready for the next growing season.
August
- Start Cleaning Up: Begin removing spent annuals and weeds.
- Harvest Remaining Summer Crops: Gather any late-summer vegetables.
- Plan for Fall Crops: Decide which cool-weather crops you'd like to plant.
Early September
- Plant Fall Vegetables: Start cool-weather crops like kale, spinach, and lettuce.
- Start Pruning Perennials: Begin cutting back spent perennials, especially those that finish blooming early.
- Order Spring Bulbs: If you haven’t already, order spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils.
Mid-September
- Divide and Transplant Perennials: Dig up and divide overcrowded perennials, then replant them in new locations.
- Mulch and Compost: Add a layer of compost to your garden beds and mulch around perennials.
- Start Lawn Care: Aerate and overseed your lawn to encourage new growth.
Late September
- Plant Spring Bulbs: Once the temperatures cool down a bit, start planting spring bulbs.
- Fertilize Your Garden: Apply slow-release fertilizer to prepare your soil for winter.
- Bring in Tender Plants: If you have any frost-sensitive potted plants, bring them indoors before the first frost.
Early October
- Rake and Use Leaves: Rake up fallen leaves, using them as mulch or adding them to your compost pile.
- Prune Shrubs and Trees: Trim dead or diseased branches from trees and shrubs.
- Cover Vulnerable Plants: Use frost covers to protect delicate plants from early frost.
Mid-October
- Final Lawn Care: Complete any remaining lawn care, such as applying a winterizer fertilizer.
- Finish Mulching: Add a final layer of mulch to protect soil and plant roots over the winter.
- Drain Hoses and Store Tools: Drain garden hoses, clean and store tools, and prepare for winter.
Late October
- Final Harvest: Gather any remaining vegetables from your fall garden.
- Remove Annuals: Pull up and compost any remaining annual flowers.
- Tidy Up the Garden: Do a final cleanup of the garden beds, removing debris and ensuring everything is ready for winter.
Early November
- Final Checks: Check that all tools are stored, hoses are drained, and plants are protected.
- Review and Plan: Reflect on the gardening season, take notes, and begin planning for the next year.
This timeline will help you stay organized and ensure your garden is fully prepared for fall and the winter months ahead.
