As the days grow shorter and cooler, it’s time to start thinking about how to care for your outdoor plants during the fall season. Learn how to prepare them for colder months with these simple tips.
Clean Up:Begin by tidying up your garden beds. Remove any dead or diseased plant material, fallen leaves, and spent annuals. Cleaning up your garden now will help prevent pests and diseases from overwintering.
Prune and Trim: Trim back any dead or overgrown branches from trees, shrubs, and perennials. This encourages healthy growth and prevents breakage from heavy snow and ice.
Divide Perennials: If your perennials have become overcrowded, fall is a great time to divide them. Dig up the clumps, separate them into smaller sections, and replant them with fresh soil.
Watering:As the weather cools down, you’ll likely need to water your plants less frequently. However, it’s important to keep an eye on moisture levels and provide supplemental water if the weather remains dry.
Protect Vulnerable Plants:If you have plants that are borderline hardy for your zone, consider providing extra protection. You can wrap them in burlap or use specialized plant covers to shield them from harsh winds and cold temperatures.
Winterize Containers:If you have potted plants, move them to a sheltered area or closer to your home's foundation to provide some insulation. You can also wrap the pots in bubble wrap or burlap to help protect the roots from freezing.
Gather Seeds:If you have plants that produce seeds you'd like to save, now is the time to collect and store them for next year's planting.
Follow along to learn more about ways to improve your garden in fall.