As the gardening season winds down, a little work in the fall will pay huge dividends next spring. Properly putting your garden to bed protects your soil, helps control pests and diseases, and gives you a clean slate for the next season.
(Note: For those in frost-free climates like Mesa, AZ, "winter prep" is different—it's prime growing season! This checklist is for gardeners in regions with freezing winters.)
The Essential Fall Garden Checklist
- Clean Up Debris: Remove spent annual vegetable plants, especially diseased ones. Leaving infested debris creates a breeding ground for pests and diseases that can overwinter and wreak havoc next year. Healthy material can be composted; discard anything that shows signs of disease.
- Add Organic Matter: Fall is the best time to amend your soil. Spread a 2-3 inch layer of compost, shredded leaves, or well-rotted manure over the surface of your garden beds. There's no need to till it in; let the earthworms and winter weather do the work for you.
- Plant a Cover Crop: To really supercharge your soil, consider planting a winter cover crop like winter rye or hairy vetch. These "green manures" prevent soil erosion, suppress weeds, and add valuable nutrients back into the soil when you turn them over in the spring.
- Mulch Your Beds: After amending, cover any bare soil with a thick layer of mulch, such as shredded leaves or straw. This protects the soil from winter erosion and insulates the soil life underneath.
- Care for Perennials: After the first hard frost, cut back herbaceous perennials to a few inches above the ground. For tender perennials or roses in cold zones, add a protective mound of mulch around the crown of the plant.
- Clean and Store Tools: Don't forget your tools! Clean off any caked-on dirt, sharpen blades on pruners and shovels, and wipe them down with an oily rag to prevent rust. Store them in a dry place for the winter.