Learn about several fall garden dos and don'ts as you wrap up the season and prepare for next year's garden.
Today I'm sharing some of my favorites dos and don'ts for the fall garden.
Fall Garden Dos and Don'ts
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Do Keep Seed Heads on Perennials
Unless the plant is disease ridden or you just can't stand the slight unruliness, leave the seed heads on the plant for birds and other wildlife. It will provide refuge, food, and a little winter interest when the cold weather arrives. You can tackle cutting them back in late winter or early spring. After all, that's just about the time when you are chomping at the bit to get outside.
Don't Prune
Once again unless there is a problem with death, disease or you just can't stand the look, it's best to wait until late winter or early spring (possibly even later) to prune your trees and shrubs. Why? Pruning encourages new growth and fall is the time of year that these plants should be winding down and getting ready for dormancy.
Do Divide Perennials - Especially Peonies
Even though I like to divide perennials in the spring when they are small and easy to separate, peonies are said to do best when transplanted in the fall. Make sure you have 3 or more eyes for each division to ensure a healthy plant.
Don't Bother Raking Leaves in Garden Beds
Allowing them to lay in the bed will give your plants extra winter protection and some will naturally decompose and add nutrients to the soil. This picture was take in early spring and you can see that the peony is having no problem coming up through the leaves. Of course, once spring comes it's a good idea to rake the leaves, add compost and mulch for the new season.
Do Plant Spring Bloom Bulbs
This is a no-brainer but something I forget. You'll be rewarded come springtime. In fact, fall is a good time to plant other shrubs and trees. So take advantage of some of the end-of-season nursery deals. Here are some of the deer resistant bulbs I planted last year.
Don't Fertilize in the Fall
Again, just like pruning, fall is not the time to encourage new growth. Allow your plants to harden off and shut down their top growth for winter.
Do Take Notes
Even if you haven't been keeping a garden journal, fall is a good time to make notes of what you need to do next year. What has done well, problem areas and plans for next season. This will be a big help in the winter when you are bored and want to start planning for the spring. Composition pads are super cheap this time of year. Print out this a free coloring page to create a simple journal for your garden notes.
Don't Forget to Bring in Tender Plants
All your tender plants that have been enjoying the sun and warmth need to be brought in before it gets too cold at night. See what to consider when bringing plants indoors for more details.
Charlene Holloway
Last year I had my fall leaves vacuumed. Up and packed then deposited in a out of the way places in my yard. I’ve used some of them for mulching. Everything I put it around seems to do good. I’m afraid if there are any fungus or what it will be harmful to my plants. Is this a good thing or not?
Patti Estep
Charlene, I haven't done it but from everything I have read, leaf mulch is supposed to be great. I believe many like to shred them first so they break down quickly. I've often heard Mike McGrath speak about using leaves for mulch. Here's a good video. https://video.wlvt.org/video/ethics-of-fallen-leaves-atuyko/
Jami
I love this list, most especially because it lets me off the hook for doing things like raking and deadheading. 🙂
Shelly
Love all of these tips Patti. Unfortunately, my hubby can't stand to have leaves in the flower beds or the dead flowers on the plants. He's just like a tidy garden. But we do divide our plants in the fall as needed. And I'm hoping to get a few more spring bulbs planted this year too.
Diane Williams
I LOVE the garden journal and printable pages! Thanks for giving us an easy way to record our garden successes and failures. Dave and I keep reinventing the wheel because we can never remember what varieties we planted and how they did.
And the deadheading too. I have to hold myself back or I'm out there trimming off the ugly stalks and seed heads.
Michelle Marine
Great reminders, Patti! We have tons of leaves in our yard that we just ignore. I really need to pile them up and put them on the garden. 🙂
Carole West
I love these Tips Patti - I actually do fertilize in the fall because we have a longer growing season down south. I'm in the middle of moving blackberries -which is a don't for August but cooler temperatures and rainfall arrived and I couldn't resist. So far we have success hope to get back out there this afternoon. I'm also loving my leaf mulch, completely hooked and worked like a charm.
Patti Estep
That's good to know for all you lucky ducks in the south Carole. Thanks for sharing. And I get it that sometimes you just have to do things when you can and break the roles. 🙂