Fall Gardening Tasks

By gardener | Sep 8, 2007

September is already upon us and in many parts of the United States, it’s now time to start our fall gardening chores. For some of us there is a lot to do in a very short period of time, because the first frosts are just a few weeks away. Other parts of the country may have another one to three months before the cold snaps hit, but getting started now will give you time to get everything done without rushing.

Not everyone will have the same gardening tasks in the fall, but we’ll look at some of the basics and you can decide which ones apply to your personal gardening needs.

1. Collect Seeds. If you haven’t done so yet, try to collect some seeds from your favorite plants of this year. Collecting seeds is especially useful if you grow a lot of annual flowers, and you think you may want to grow the same ones again next year. In most cases if an annual flower or vine generates seeds, then those seeds will drop to the ground on their own and germinate over the long winter, only to sprout new plants in the same location next year. If you think you may not want them in the same location though, then try to collect all of the seeds before they’ve dropped to the ground.

2. Prune bushes. Many types of bushes winter best if they’re pruned well before the cold weather sets in. Some will need to be pruned almost to the ground, while others will simply need a slight trim. Still others may not need to be pruned until the middle of winter. If you’re not sure which pruning time is best for your own bushes, then log online and do a bit of research before it gets too cold.

3. Renew your mulch. All of your bushes and perennial flower beds should be mulched well for the winter. If you use mineral or synthetic mulch materials, you may not need to do anything but be sure they’re in good condition. Organic mulch material should be added to though, to ensure the layer is thick and to help replace any that may have decomposed already. Mulching is important to help protect the roots of your plants and bushes from the cold, so they’ll be able to sprout up again next spring.

4. Turn your flower beds. If you have annual flower beds, or you’re planning to plant new flower beds next spring, now is a great time to turn the soil and add organic material to them. The organic material will have all winter to break down and decompose, so by next spring the soil will be very rich and fertile for your new plants.

5. Clean and store your garden tools. You won’t need your garden tools much through the winter, so now is an excellent time to clean, repair if needed, and store them securely.

Last but not least: Get your gardening journal out and keep it on hand. It will be a welcome friend to you during the cold winter nights when you’re unable to garden.

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