During the fall, you should prepare your garden for the cold months ahead. This will allow you to enjoy the fruits of your labor in the spring. The garden will need a bit of extra care to ensure that it is healthy for the winter. Fall is a great time to test the soil to see if it needs any amendments. This will also give you the chance to replenish nutrients that were lost during the summer.
It is also important to clear out the leaves and debris in your garden. This is a great way to prevent disease outbreaks in the spring. Fall is also a great time to plant ornamentals and fruit trees. The leaves will help to provide insulation for the plants, allowing them to survive the winter.
Fall is also a good time to divide perennials. This is a great way to keep the plants from becoming overcrowded. It also increases the stock of plants. Perennials are great workhorses for the garden, providing shelter for wildlife and pollinators.
It is also important to remove all plant debris before the snow and ice arrive. This is especially important for pests and diseases that may overwinter. A great way to do this is to rake up leaves and other plant matter and dispose of it in a compost pile. It will provide the plants with organic matter for the winter and help prevent disease outbreaks.
It is also a good idea to clean up your plant pots, sprayers and spray cans. This will ensure that you have an organized and tidy area to store your plants. This also allows you to wash out any chemicals that may have leaked into your plants during the summer.
It is also important that you remove any dead or diseased branches. These are more susceptible to disease than healthy branches. You should also check the soil in your garden for any signs of disease. This Garden Care for fall will ensure that you can remove any diseased plants and prevent them from spreading to healthy plants.
Another important fall gardening task is to mulch your garden. Mulch is a great way to insulate your plants and keep the soil warm. It can also help to prevent disease and rot. In addition to mulching your garden, you can also plant cover crops, which will feed the soil while providing a source of nutrients for your plants. You can also add compost or wood chips to your garden.
Fall is also a great time to plant trees and shrubs. Deciduous trees and shrubs fare best when planted in the dormancy of fall. When the temperature drops below freezing, bark mulch can help protect the roots of these trees from frost. It can also prevent diseases from affecting the bark of trees.
Fall is also a good time for planting spring flowering bulbs. These include tulips, dahlias and hyacinths. You can also plant ornamental grasses to add color to your garden throughout the winter.