Fall Garden Maintenance

Changing leaves, cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours signal the end of the growing season. Make sure your garden is ready for fall and winter by checking off the tasks below.

• Prep Your Perennials – After a long growing season, help your perennials get ready to rest. Stop deadheading in early fall and leave the above-ground parts standing even after frost kills them, providing food and shelter for wildlife. A fresh, thick layer of mulch will also help protect vulnerable roots from the cold.
• Refresh Your Vegetables – Before the first frost, cleaning out plant debris will help prevent pests and diseases from returning in spring. Add a 2-3 inch layer of compost to your beds, providing them the nutrients throughout winter. Now is also a good time to set up new beds if you’d like to expand your planting space for spring.
• Care for Your Trees & Shrubs – Fall is the perfect time to plant trees and shrubs. Take advantage of still-warm soil to help roots grow before winter sets in. For existing plants, provide plenty of water, replenish mulch and prune after dormancy starts.
• Clean Up Your Containers – Once the first hard frost kills your annuals, empty your pots and move them to a protected, dry area to avoid cracking during the freeze and thaw cycle. Also, dig up any tender bulbs, so they’ll be ready for planting next spring.

These steps will help you get the most of your garden this winter and, more importantly, the many growing seasons to come. Stop by your local Joe’s Market Basket for all of your Fall gardening needs.