As the seasons transition from warmth to cold, many gardeners assume their work is done. But the truth is, fall offers a unique opportunity to prepare your garden for success come spring.
By tackling those often-overlooked tasks now, you'll save yourself a world of hassle when it's time to plant and tend. For one, removing weeds by their roots in the fall prevents them from coming back with a vengeance in the spring. A long-handled tool like Grampa's Weeder makes quick work of this chore.
It's also essential to rake beds and borders thoroughly, especially if fungal diseases took hold over the summer. This will help prevent pathogens from lingering in the soil and infecting next year's plants. Dispose of any debris you find, including leaves, which can harbor disease-causing organisms.
Don't forget to give your tools some TLC too. Clean, sharpen, and oil them now so they'll be ready for action when spring arrives. There's nothing more frustrating than showing up at the garden to find a rusty spade or broken tool.
If you planted fruit trees this year, take steps to protect them from damage caused by mice and rabbits. Installing protective guards around the trunks is an effective way to safeguard your investment.
Before winter storms hit, inspect tree branches carefully and remove any that are split, dead, or broken. This will prevent them from breaking loose and causing damage during high winds.
For those planning to start new beds next year, consider smothering the grass over winter instead of digging up the lawn or renting a sod cutter. Simply cover the area with cardboard, newspaper, or mulch, and leave it in place until spring.
Finally, take care of your old beds by clearing out spent vegetable areas, turning over the soil, adding compost and amendments, and planting flower bulbs β including garlic! The sooner you get these into the ground, the better chance they'll bloom come spring.
By tackling those often-overlooked tasks now, you'll save yourself a world of hassle when it's time to plant and tend. For one, removing weeds by their roots in the fall prevents them from coming back with a vengeance in the spring. A long-handled tool like Grampa's Weeder makes quick work of this chore.
It's also essential to rake beds and borders thoroughly, especially if fungal diseases took hold over the summer. This will help prevent pathogens from lingering in the soil and infecting next year's plants. Dispose of any debris you find, including leaves, which can harbor disease-causing organisms.
Don't forget to give your tools some TLC too. Clean, sharpen, and oil them now so they'll be ready for action when spring arrives. There's nothing more frustrating than showing up at the garden to find a rusty spade or broken tool.
If you planted fruit trees this year, take steps to protect them from damage caused by mice and rabbits. Installing protective guards around the trunks is an effective way to safeguard your investment.
Before winter storms hit, inspect tree branches carefully and remove any that are split, dead, or broken. This will prevent them from breaking loose and causing damage during high winds.
For those planning to start new beds next year, consider smothering the grass over winter instead of digging up the lawn or renting a sod cutter. Simply cover the area with cardboard, newspaper, or mulch, and leave it in place until spring.
Finally, take care of your old beds by clearing out spent vegetable areas, turning over the soil, adding compost and amendments, and planting flower bulbs β including garlic! The sooner you get these into the ground, the better chance they'll bloom come spring.