Fall Gardening Checklist

With the cooler fall weather upon us, it’s time to get outside and prepare your garden for the onset of winter. There are lots of little tasks that need to be done! Falling leaves signal the beginning of the fall, so start garden clean up.

Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs, cut back perennials, remove annuals and get your lawn healthy for next spring.

Remember to keep watering. Trees and shrubs that are deprived of water now will be easily stressed in the winter.

Below is a handy guide to fall clean up tasks.

· Add compost or manure to garden beds.

· Cover water features with netting to collect falling leaves.

· Check houseplants for pests, if you had them summering outdoors and move them back indoors.

· Plant new trees and shrubs, to give them at least 6 weeks before frost to start to grow. This is a great time to plant!

· Tender bulbs that could freeze need to be dug up, dusted with bulb dust and stored in a cool, dry place over winter.

· Plant spring flowering bulbs for early spring color. Try daffodils or tulips!

· Autumn is a good time to plant and divide perennials.

· Clean bird feeders, and get ready to feed the ones that winter in your area.

· Clean and store your gardening tools for next year.

· Continue watering trees and shrubs until the ground freezes.

· Bring in any clay pots and put away.

· Pull weeds before they go to seed to reduce the number of weeds next year.

· Fertilize your lawn to promote health over the winter and encourage spring growth and color.

· Cut away any diseased areas of perennials. Do not compost as this could promote disease next year in other areas of your garden.

· Rake and compost any fallen leaves.

· Clean up garden debris. Remove all vegetable plants and fallen fruit and compost.

· Remove dead annuals from your garden and planters and cut back any perennials that have died down to the ground.

· Cut back perennial foliage to discourage overwintering pests.

· Leave flowers with seeds for the birds to enjoy in the winter.

· Trim tall grass away from trees and corners of your home to discourage small rodents from creating nests.

· Dig up tender bulbs such as dahlia, canna and gladiola and store in a cool, dark space.

· Turn off outside water connections. Drain garden hoses.

· Wrap screening around fruit tree trunks to protect from small animals.

· Mulch rose bushes.

· Clean downspouts and gutters.

Buckerfield's carries a large selection of gardening tools and supplies. Stop by one of our country store's today for all your fall planting and landscaping needs.

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