Root One’s Autumn Gardening Checklist

As the vibrant days of summer fade into crisp autumn mornings, it’s time to prepare your garden for the colder months ahead, the work you do now will set the stage for a healthy, thriving garden in the spring. We have put together this checklist to help ensure that no corner of your garden is left unattended as the days grow shorter.

Autumn is the Perfect Time to Tidy up your Garden Beds

Remove spent annuals, once the first frost hits, most annuals will die back. Pull them up and add them to your compost pile
Remove weeds to prevent them from setting seed and spreading
Remove any fallen debris to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering in the soil
Rake fallen leaves from the lawn

Plant Spring Bulbs

Now’s the time to plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses
Follow this link for instructions on how to plant spring bulbs

Mulch

Mulching is one of the most important autumn tasks to protect your garden during winter, a thick layer of mulch insulates plants, keeping soil temperatures stable during freezing and thawing and helps retain moisture in the soil during drier periods
Instead of sending fallen leaves to the landfill, turn them into nutrient-rich compost or mulch

Divide and Transplant Perennials

Divide and transplant perennials that have outgrown their space
Lift and divide perennials like hostas, astrantia, and irises to promote healthy growth

Prune and Trim

Remove dead or damaged branches to encourage healthier growth in spring
Cut back perennials and trim back dead or diseased foliage on perennials like peonies and asters
Ornamental grasses and seed heads from plants like coneflowers can be left to provide winter interest and food for wildlife

Prepare Your Lawn

Your lawn needs some attention before the cold sets in, loosen compacted soil by aerating your lawn, allowing water, nutrients, and oxygen to reach the roots
Follow this link for more information on how to care for your lawn in the autumn

Harvest and Store Vegetables

If you’ve been growing vegetables, it’s time to gather the last of the harvest
Root vegetables like potatoes and beetroot can be stored in a cool, dark place for winter use
Use cloches or row covers for frost-sensitive plants still in the ground

Protect Tender Plants

For potted plants and herbs that are susceptible to the cold, bring them inside or into a greenhouse
Protect tender plants from early frosts with fleece

Clean and Store Garden Tools

Don’t forget to clean up and store your garden tools for the winter, wash off dirt and rust, and sharpen tools like pruners and shovels
Keep tools in a dry, sheltered place to prevent rust and damage
Remove garden hoses, drain them completely, and store them to prevent cracking during cold weather