Tips for Preparing your Fall Garden

1. Clean Up — But Not Too Clean

Start by removing obvious debris: annuals that are finished, vegetable plants that are spent, and any plant material clearly affected by disease or pests. However, don't be tempted to sterilize your beds completely — leaving some stems and seedheads provides winter habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects.

2. Plant Fall Bulbs and Cool-Season Veg

Fall is the moment to plant spring-blooming bulbs. Plant bulbs at about three times their height in loose, well-draining soil, and mark where you planted them. You can also sow cool-season vegetables like garlic, broad beans (in mild areas), and cover crops to improve soil.

• Bulbs: tulips, daffodils, crocus, allium.
• Vegetables: garlic (plant cloves), spinach (in some climates), and winter lettuces.
• Cover crops: clover, winter rye, or vetch to prevent erosion and add nitrogen.

3. Mulch for Protection and Moisture

Apply 2–4 inches of organic mulch (shredded leaves, bark, or composted wood chips) over beds once the soil has cooled but before hard freezes. Mulch moderates soil temperatures, reduces freeze/thaw heaving, and suppresses winter weeds.

4. Divide, Move, and Prune

Many perennials benefit from dividing in fall or very early spring. If a clump looks overcrowded or has a congested center, dig it up, divide with a sharp tool, and replant. Light pruning of woody shrubs can be done in fall for shape, but delay heavy pruning of spring-flowering shrubs until after they bloom.

5. Compost and Soil Health

Gather fallen leaves and healthy garden debris into your compost bin. Shred leaves first if possible — they break down faster and make less mess. Consider a soil test if you haven't had one in a few years; fall is a good time to amend soil with lime or slow-release nutrients before spring planting.

6. Protect Tender Plants and Containers

Move container plants that are borderline hardy into an unheated garage or up against a sheltered wall. For in-ground tender plants, add a protective layer of mulch and consider fabric covers for cold snaps. Containers freeze faster than the ground — either insulate them with mulch or move them off cold surfaces to prevent root damage.

7. Watering & Irrigation Winter Prep

Keep watering until the soil freezes; many plants will need moisture to get through winter. Drain and store hoses, and blow out or winterize automatic irrigation systems where necessary to prevent pipe damage. Turn off timers and insulate exposed valves.

8. Pest and Disease Management

Remove and dispose of plants showing severe disease to reduce overwintering pests. Avoid leaving diseased leaves in the bed. For pests that overwinter in soil or debris, a thorough fall cleanup and rotating crops in vegetable beds will reduce pressure next year.

9. Tools, Supplies, and Storage

Clean, sharpen, and oil pruners, shears, and hand tools. Store chemicals and fertilizers in a cool, dry place according to label instructions. Charge batteries for cordless tools and store them indoors to prolong lifespan.

• Sharpen pruners and loppers.
• Drain fuel from gas-powered tools or add stabilizer.
• Label and store seeds in a cool, dry container.

10. Plan for Next Year

Use the slower fall pace to review what worked and what didn’t. Make notes: what thrived, what failed, and which areas need soil improvement or better drainage. Sketch a rough plan for new beds, paths, or plant purchases for spring.

Seasonal Timeline (Early → Mid → Late Fall)

• Early fall: harvest remaining veggies, plant bulbs, divide perennials, begin mulching.
• Mid fall: collect leaves (compost or mulch), move containers, continue cleanup.
• Late fall: winterize irrigation, store hoses/tools, add final mulch before hard freezes.

Quick FAQ

Should I rake all my leaves? Not necessarily — shred or compost most of them. Leave some leaf litter under shrubs or in wild corners for wildlife.

When should I stop fertilizing? Stop high-nitrogen feeding about 6–8 weeks before the first hard freeze to avoid stimulating tender growth.

Will mulch attract mice? A very deep, dense mulch next to foundations can provide cover for rodents. Keep mulch a few inches away from house foundations.

Final Thought

Preparing your garden for fall is a mix of tidy work and smart restraint — clean up when needed, but leave habitat where it helps. A few focused hours now will mean less struggle and more reward next spring. Happy gardening!