The cool weather is a sign that it may be time to start cleaning up that garden to prepare for winter. There’s plenty to of digging, clipping, raking, and composting to do at the end of the season. All this prep work can seem tedious, but it will save you a lot of work next season.
What To Do With Annuals
If you don’t get rid of them soon, they’re gonna get real ugly. Most of their blooms will be gone by now, and as soon as that first frost hits, most of them will start to turn to either a gooey mess or a dried brown husk. We had our first big frost last week, and Mom’s impatiens looked like someone spilled their green bean casserole in her flower bed.
Cutting Back Perennials
Your perennials can also start to become unattractive late in the season when they start to go dormant. If you are planning on cutting them back, please don’t do it too soon because they may sprout again wasting energy that they need during that dormancy period.
Dealing With Weeds
And, if you really want to reduce your workload next season, deal with any weeds now. Leaving them through the winter will ensure that you will spent the better part of next year on your knees.
Planting Trees And Shrubs
As long as the ground isn’t frozen, you can still plant those trees and shrubs. Actually, spring bulbs and some seeds, like wild flower seeds can also be planted in the fall for the spring garden. So, in the midst of all your cleaning, don’t neglect your planting.