Here are 10 autumn garden cleanup tips to reduce problems with pests and diseases while also retaining homes and food for pollinators.
1. Cleaning up vegetable beds
Remove all spent crops and residue to prevent havens for pests and disease. Also be sure to weed!
2. Protecting winter crops
If you are growing cool season crops such as spinach, lettuce, kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts, or swiss chard, be sure to protect them from a light frost.
3. Maintaining perennial flowers
For most perennials, there’s no real need to cut back Many beneficial bugs shelter among old plant stems and seed heads, which help to feed the birds. Perennials such as coneflowers and black-eyed susans have seed heads that are full of tiny seeds. Leave them for the birds and to self-sow to create more native flowers.
4. Mowing the lawn
Set your mower blades fairly high for the final cut of the season. Soil-enriching caterpillars and other bugs bury right down into the thatch so best not to close-crop the lawn.
5. Using leaves wisely
Rake leaves off paths and paving where they can make underfoot conditions slippery. Otherwise, just let them be! Leaves under shrubs provide habitats for overwintering pollinators.
6. Composting leaves (if you aren’t already)
Put some of those shredded leaves in the compost bin to make nutrient-rich plant food. Fall is the best time to start a compost pile. Composting makes wonderful free fertilizer for the spring.
7. Planting shrubs in fall
Midfall is a great time to plant wildlife-friendly bushes and hedges, include berry species like winterberry and pussy willows, which support butterflies. The soil is still warm and plants have time to get established before kicking off new growth in the spring.
8. Add fall bulbs for spring flowers
Spring-flowering bulbs provide early nectar for pollinators. Plant by late October into early November. Plant in groups. If deer are a problem, avoid tulips. Stick to daffodils and allium and crocus.
9. Improving soil in fall
Soil must be replenished, and fall is the best time to do this for a healthier garden next year. After your garden has gone dormant, add organic matter to your soil.
10. Mulching for winter protection
Covering the ground with organic mulch protects it from winter weather. Spread a 4-6 inch layer of shredded leaves, bark or straw to protect plants from freeze and thaw cycles. In the early spring, just as the plants break dormancy, gently rake the mulch away and spread it throughout your bed to keep weds at bay during the summer.
One more thing….remember to clean your garden tools so they will be in good condition for the next season!
Leave a Reply