An autumn gardening checklist that will set you up for success this season—and beyond.
Fall to-do tips provided by USU Extension. For more, check out their Gardener’s Almanac Monthly Gardening Checklist
ADD
It’s time to say goodbye to your summer annuals, but your gardens and pots don’t have to retire just yet. Now is the perfect time to plant cold-hardy annuals like pansies, primrose, kale and ornamental cabbage to breathe new life into your beds and borders. These plants can also refresh your containers, adding seasonal interest and color to your front porch and patio this autumn.
BURY
Spring-flowering bulbs, including tulips, daffodils and crocuses, should be planted in the fall after the soil has cooled from the summer heat but before the ground freezes. Plant 3 to 4 weeks before the ground freezes to ensure good root development. As a general rule, plant bulbs 2 to 3 times as deep as the bulb is tall. Smaller bulbs like crocuses and hyacinths should be planted 3 to 4 inches deep, while larger bulbs such as daffodils and tulips should be planted 6 to 8 inches deep. Incorporate fertilizer—especially phosphorus—and soil amendments at planting time and again each spring as leaves emerge. Since bulbs are plants, they should be watered after planting to encourage root development and to eliminate air pockets that could cause the bulbs to dry out.
CUT BACK
As your garden workhorses, perennials have been delighting you and enhancing your landscape throughout the growing season. Now it’s time to give them a rest. Begin by waiting for the foliage on your perennials to die back before cutting them to the ground. This allows the maximum amount of energy to be stored in the roots for next year’s growth. Consider leaving some plants intact to provide native bees and beneficial insects with places to overwinter.
While you’re at it, attend to your roses and grasses. Prune roses by trimming excessively long canes to prevent damage from heavy snow. You may cut back ornamental grasses in snow-prone areas once the foliage has dried. Alternatively, leave them until spring to enjoy their vertical accent throughout winter. The large plumes and sturdy grass foliage add texture and interest to an otherwise bare winter landscape and are beneficial to winter wildlife.
DIVIDE
If your older perennials have become crowded or are dying out in the middle, now is an excellent time to divide them. Use a spade or garden fork to cut the clump in half or thirds. Replant and water them immediately to reduce plant shock and encourage quick root growth. As a rule, perennials that bloom in the spring should be divided in the fall, while those that bloom in the fall should be divided in the spring. In the fall, divide and plant 3 to 4 weeks before the ground freezes.
DITCH
After the first frost, remove all annuals from your flower beds, containers and vegetable gardens. These tender plants will not survive the winter. Cleaning up now will reduce your workload in the spring.
PLANT
Fall is an excellent time to plant new deciduous trees and shrubs. This time of year, nurseries and garden centers often have great deals. Autumn’s cooler weather makes the transition easier for the plants and gives them a head start for next spring by promoting root growth during the fall. Newly planted trees, shrubs and evergreens should be hand-watered periodically during prolonged dry periods in the fall, or until the ground freezes.
Get more garden ideas here.
