I aspire to be an amazing gardener, but the truth is, I’m still a relative newbie. If you had asked me 10 years ago if there was much I could or should do in my garden in autumn, I would have said no. The growing season is pretty much past, right? So what is left to do in the garden in the fall?
But, oh, what I have learned!
There are things that need to be done around the yard and garden in autumn to prepare both for the winter months and for spring. Consider this your Fall Yard and Garden Checklist…
Pull up and dispose of dead plants
This is my #1 mistake of years past. Once plants were dead, I didn’t think it made much difference if they stayed in the ground all winter! They were dead, after all. What were they hurting?
What I didn’t know is that fungal diseases and insects will survive the winter in dead leaves and stems. Getting rid of dead plant material lessens the risk of spreading pests and diseases to new plants come spring.
Plant spring bulbs
Daffodils. Tulips. Crocus. Hyacinths. Though a gardening newbie would hardly think of fall as planting time, flower bulbs have to develop a root system before they can bloom. Planting in fall gives them the entire winter to establish roots and be ready for spring blooming. Just plant bulbs about 3 times as deep as the height of the bulb. (Pointy side up!)
It was frustrating planting daffodil bulbs last fall knowing I would reap no benefits from my work until spring. But… I can’t tell you the joy I felt when those heirloom bulbs began bursting forth with little yellow trumpets. The waiting was well worth it!
Collect seeds for spring sowing
If there are seeds you wanted to save, now is the time to save them! Whether you’re talking flowers or vegetables, and whether you want to sow them again in the spring or share them with friends, it is best to start gathering them now, before they are lost to snow, wind, and hungry birds. You can start them indoors in pots or sow them directly in the ground come spring.
Take last-minute cuttings
I’ve had so much fun propagating new plants from cuttings! If there are annuals you want to save, (annuals are plants that last one season and don’t come back the following year,) you better take some clippings now before you lose the plant to a hard frost.
Prepare a new bed by killing out weeds over the winter
Would you like to put in a flower bed by the back patio next spring? Start tackling the weeds or grass in that spot now. Put down cardboard or plastic in the desired spot, weigh it down, and leave it for the winter. Come spring the weeds will have been smothered out and the spot will be ready for planting!
Empty hummingbird feeders and outdoor plant containers
Hummingbird feeders may split or crack if left out over the winter, especially if they still contain liquid. Give them a good cleaning and put them away until spring.
Outdoor planters can crack as well, especially in extremely cold zones. Consider emptying your containers completely and storing them in a shed or garage, or at least upside-down where they can’t fill with water that will freeze.
This might also be a good time to clean out seed bird feeders!
Disconnect all water hoses and put them away
Leaving a water hose connected to the spigot all winter can result in broken pipes and a busted water hose. Take the time to unscrew any hoses now, empty them to the best of your ability, and store them away in a shed or garage. Protect your pipes and extend the life of your water hose!
There’s still work to do in your yard and garden! Don’t neglect it, and you may just reap some beautiful benefits come spring…
