A little extra work this fall can make your garden even more beautiful during the spring and summer. A few extra tasks now will set your garden up for success. These tips strengthen your plants through the winter and create a healthier growing bed when the growing season returns. Want to give your spring garden a head start without a ton of extra work? Here are the tips every home gardener should know to deliver lasting results.
- Take Note of What Did and Did Not Work: Walk through your garden and make note of the plants that thrived and the ones that did not. Simply observe your garden and pay attention to whether poor performance was due to pests, disease, placement, shade, or soil conditions. You’ll know what changes to make in the spring instead of making the same mistakes.
- Give Your Soil a Health Check: Healthy plants start with healthy soil. Fall is the best time to give your soil some love, which makes an impactful change. You can start by doing a soil test to check which nutrients are lacking. You can also add organic compost to enrich the soil.
- Say Goodbye to Weeds and Sick Plants: Fall is the perfect time to pull weeds before they seed and multiply, so you won't have to fight the same weeds year after year. Remove any diseased or infected plants to prevent problems from spreading into next year’s garden.
- Mulch and Leave the Leaves: Mulching protects your garden during the colder months. A layer of natural mulch insulates the soil, holds moisture, and adds organic matter. Leave the leaves in your garden, as leaves are one of the best natural soil builders you can find, and leaves create a safe haven for insects.
- Divide and Conquer Your Perennials: If your perennials look crowded or aren’t flowering as much, divide and replant them. Cooler weather allows plants to grow their roots without the stress of summer heat, making the plants healthier. Plus, it’s an easy way to expand your garden without buying anything new.
- Prep Your Tools for Winter: Clean and sharpen garden tools before storing them to prevent the spread of disease. Store your tools, pots, hoses, and irrigation systems.
Source: The Pioneer Woman