Summary: Fall is the best time in the garden. So much to harvest and with temperatures on the cooler side, it is possible to enjoy the garden without having to endure high heat and humidity. Its not too late to plant cool weather crops like spinach and lettuce for a harvest before the first frost of the season. Clean-up can begin and expansion can take place to make even more room for next years garden.
Falls arrival signals a time of great harvest. Youve probably been enjoying food from your garden for much of the summer and it doesnt have to end yet.
Cooler temperatures, fewer bugs and the ability to actually get the weeds under control make gardening this time of year pleasant and rewarding.
The heat and humidity of summer can make gardening unpleasant and nearly impossible for some of us.
Its not too late to plant carrots, radish, spinach and lettuce for late fall harvest. Free space for planting these quick-to-grow varieties can be made by harvesting other vegetables and removing the spent plants to the compost pile. Plants infested with pests or showing signs of disease should be disposed of with your household trash.
Beds that are now empty can be mulched with straw, chopped leaves or other organic material that will both protect the garden and allow vital nutrients to be added to the soil as the materials break down over the course of the winter.
Dont jump the gun on cleaning and storing tools just yet. There is still much work to be done until mid November that will require many garden tools.
Fall is the perfect time to plant spring bulbs. It seems like a lot of work now but when winters unforgiving cold gives way to rows or beds of colorful tulips, daffodils and crocus youll be glad you did. Plant bulbs in pots and place below the soil directly in your garden. Youll get a show of color but wont have to wait for the bulbs to brown and wither before removing them in their pots for early cool weather vegetables. The pots of bulbs can displayed in or around the house until they fade naturally.
Hopefully your garden was full of successes rather than failures. If you are considering expanding your current garden or adding an entirely new one, now is the time to get it ready. Eliminate the arduous task of sod removal and simply lay down a few layers of newspaper and cover with a heavy layer of mulch. The area will be ready for compost and manure in time for spring planting.
Extend your current growing season with a simple hoop house. Many plants just need a little bit of protection to survive the intermittent frosts that come this time of year.
As leaves begin to fall you might be tempted to prune or reshape trees. Wait! Until trees and shrubs are dormant, meaning theyre taking a much needed rest, it is not safe to prune them. Pruning will stimulate new growth and that is not what they need as they begin to enter dormancy. Mid winter or early spring is the best time to prune trees, bushes and shrubs.
Put the pruners away and get out the rake. Soon leaves will cover every square inch of your lawn and garden. Mowing leaves with a mulching mower and leaving them where they are is the preferred method for getting rid of them. If you live in a community where pick-up is available do not put them in plastic bags. Rake them to the designated curb and be patient. Sometimes it takes a while for city workers to make the rounds.
Houseplants and potted herbs can be brought indoors now before the risk of frost. Unless you are blessed with a south facing window with nothing blocking the light, some plants will become leggy over the winter. Theyll bounce back in the spring when they get to go outside again. Keep plants well watered over the winter. Repot them if they have outgrown their current pots.
Corn gluten meal is a great alternative to dangerous and costly chemical sprays to control crabgrass, chickweed and dandelions. A fall application on the lawn can prevent these and other weeds from returning in the spring. Fall is also a good time to top dress the lawn with compost for added nutrients and organic matter.
As the days get cooler and the nights get downright cold, enjoy the last of Indian summer days in your garden. Fall can be a productive time in the garden and accomplishing tasks now simplifies the lengthy list of things to do when spring arrives.
