Fall Garden Wrap-Up Checklist

• Bring them in when night temperatures consistently fall into the lower 50's.
• Try to avoid abrupt changes in light and temperature.
• Check for insects prior to bringing them inside; washing the plant with plain water will remove many pests.
• Re-pot if plant has outgrown its container.
• Some plants that have grown vigorously outside may need some pruning.
  

2. Clean up vegetable gardens and annual flowerbeds.

• Harvest all usable vegetables and annual flowers before frost.
• Leftover debris can be tilled into soil or placed into compost pile.
• Clean up weeds as they can harbor diseases and insects.
• Add compost and other organic material to enrich the soil.
• Mulch beds to prevent erosion during winter.
  

3. Clean up perennial flowerbeds.

• Remove weeds.
• After we have a couple of frosts, mulch the perennial bed.
• Tops of plants can be cut back now or in early spring.
• New perennials can be planted in fall; established perennials can be divided; these activities should be done in early fall (mid-September to mid-October) to allow time for plants to root before the soil cools.
  

4. Tree and shrub maintenance

• Prune trees after they go dormant (lose their leaves) or in early spring.
• Prune late summer and fall flowering shrubs after they go dormant.
• DO NOT prune evergreens or spring-flowering shrubs in fall.
• Trees and shrubs can be fertilized after they go dormant or in spring.
• Continue regular watering as long as ground is not frozen.
  

5. Miscellaneous

• Plant spring flowering bulbs in early fall (mid-September to mid-October).
• Clean garden tools so they will be ready for next season.
• See to proper storage of seeds, fertilizer and garden chemicals.
• Drain and store garden hoses.
• Consider composting as a method to deal with garden debris and autumn leaves.

October - November 2000: Recycling Leaves in the Yard | Fall Garden Wrap-Up Checklist | Preparing Lawns for Winter | Pumpkins and Cranberries