Gardening in Autumn

The time period between winter and spring seems like a good distance since we're currently experiencing the fall. That means a time period of dying gardens, then quickly transitioning to a first bloom. Knowing this, here are some tips for you to take care of your current, autumn garden and prepare for first frost.

Save seeds

If you have vegetables or flowers in your garden that you want to keep for next year. Keep them in a dry, air tight place that is both cool and dark until springtime comes along. This will properly preserve them for when you are ready to plant them again.

Compost

A nice and easy way to be eco-friendly, gather all the dead plant material you have lying around your garden for compost. This includes cuttings, twigs, weeds, and leaves. Do not consider diseased or infested plants as those should go in the trash.

Clean up

Pull out any dead plants and remove fallen leaves. Give your perennials a cut. A clean garden will not only prepare it well for the winter, but give a clean-cut look to your lawn. You can also prevent root rot if you remove those fallen leaves since they attract pests.

Water and Fertilize

Perennials in your garden require water and fertilizer before the weather becomes colder. This change in temperature is often before the end of November. 

Soil enrichment

When soil is hard and compacted, cover your garden with a layer of compost and mix it together. Compost will recycle nutrients back into your lawn's soil, revamping its structure for more richness. This is also a precautionary measure for the winter.

Grow cover crops

If you really love your garden and planting, you can prevent erosion and suppress weeds with cover crops. Plants like rye grass and crimson clover can do both of those things, while also become a conditioner for richer soil in the winter when and if they die back. To remove it from your spring garden if they do not die, simply cut them and mix them into the earth and plant on top of them.