Navigating Your Garden: Fall Essentials and Taboos

What To Do (And Not Do) With Your Garden In The Fall

As the vibrant hues of autumn settle in, your garden calls for attention before the winter hibernation sets in. Fall is not just a time for withering; it’s a crucial period to prepare your garden for the cycles to come. Understanding what tasks are essential and what to avoid can make a significant difference in your garden’s health. Here’s your guide on what to embrace and what to steer clear of in your fall gardening endeavors.

Embrace These Fall Essentials:

1. Leave the Leaves: While raking leaves off your lawn is necessary, consider letting them rest in your flower beds. Mulching them with a mower or letting them lie provides a natural nutrient boost and habitat for beneficial insects.

2. Shield Vulnerable Plants: Tender plants need a little extra care to brave the winter. Offer them warmth with fabric covers or windbreaks, ensuring they survive the chillier months.

3. Store Clean Tools: Clean and store your gardening tools diligently. Dry them thoroughly before stashing them away in a dry spot to prevent rust and deterioration.

4. Nurture Cool-Season Grass: Fertilize your turf grass in the mid to late fall. Though grass growth might halt, the roots still absorb nutrients, aiding in a lush lawn next spring.

5. Mulch for Protection: Applying or refreshing mulch in your garden beds safeguards plants from frost heave, which can harm their roots due to fluctuating temperatures.

6. Plant Spring Bulbs: Get a head start on spring by planting hardy bulbs like daffodils, tulips, and crocuses. These blooms will reward your efforts with a burst of color in the coming year.

Avoid These Fall Taboos:

1. Resist Over-Pruning: Avoid the urge to prune trees and shrubs in the fall. Pruning now can encourage vulnerable new growth, susceptible to winter damage. Save this task for late winter or early spring.

2. Bid Adieu to Annuals: Remove annuals from your garden. Their decaying remains can harbor diseases and pests, detrimental to your garden’s health.

3. Dispose of Diseased Debris Smartly: If you remove diseased branches or plants, refrain from composting them. Composting diseased material can spread ailments. Consider burning them where permitted or disposing of them safely.

4. Remember Your Vegetable Plots: Keep track of your vegetable plantings. Maintain labels or a detailed layout to implement effective crop rotation, reducing the risk of diseases.

5. Don’t Dehydrate Your Plants: While plants need less water in the fall, they shouldn’t be deprived entirely. Reduce watering gradually to help them acclimatize to the dormant season. Newly planted trees and shrubs, in particular, need consistent moisture for robust root development.

By adhering to these guidelines, you’ll not only bid adieu to this growing season gracefully but also pave the way for a vibrant, healthy garden in the seasons that follow. Happy gardening!