Putting Your Garden to Bed
Fall is often thought of as the time to put the garden to bed, but we like to think of it as getting a head start on spring.
There are plenty of things you can do in October and November to set your garden up for a healthier, easier start next year. And the good news? You don't have to make everything perfectly tidy. A little thoughtful cleanup can go a long way.
Weed, weed, and weed some more
Give your garden one last good weeding before winter. Removing weeds now helps prevent them from going to seed and giving you an even bigger job next spring.
It's also a good time to clear weeds from around perennials, shrubs and garden beds so they aren't competing for water and nutrients as the growing season winds down.
Clean up selectively
Fall cleanup doesn't have to mean clearing every leaf and cutting every plant down to the ground.
In fact, leaving some perennial stems, seed heads and leaf litter can provide valuable winter habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators. Those dried flower heads can also add winter interest to the garden and provide food for birds.
Do remove diseased plants and foliage, particularly from vegetable gardens, since some plant diseases can survive the winter in dead plant material.
Give your soil a boost
After a long growing season, your soil may appreciate a little attention, too. Fall is a great time to add finished compost and organic matter to established garden beds.
For existing soil, Vermont Compost Manure Compost is a good option for adding organic matter and improving soil texture and water handling. Vermont Compost recommends applying about 1–2 inches to garden beds as an amendment.
If you're creating a new raised bed or need to add soil volume, Vermont Compost Perennial Blend is formulated specifically for raised beds, large containers, perennial gardens and vegetable and flower beds.
And don't be too quick to dismiss mulch. A layer of organic mulch can help conserve moisture, suppress weeds and protect plant roots from temperature swings over the winter.
Plant now for spring
Fall is a wonderful time to plant many perennials, shrubs and spring-flowering bulbs. Tulips, daffodils, crocus and other bulbs need the winter chill to help prepare them for their spring display.
Garlic is another fall favorite here in Connecticut. UConn Extension recommends planting garlic in early to late November, with the goal of allowing roots to develop before winter without encouraging too much above-ground growth. A layer of mulch can then help protect the planting through the winter.
When spring arrives, you'll be very glad you did a little work now.
Get a head start on seedlings
Fall is also a good time to think ahead to next year's vegetable and flower garden.
When seed-starting season arrives, Vermont Compost Fort Vee is an all-purpose compost-based potting mix that's well suited to seed starting, soil blocks, trays and transplanting. Fort Light offers a lighter-weight option with additional drainage, making it especially useful for smaller-celled trays and growers who prefer a lighter mix.
In other words, a little preparation now can make that busy spring gardening season feel much more manageable.
Let those leaves work for you
Every fall, the trees around us give us a free source of organic matter.
Instead of sending every leaf away, consider putting them to work. Shredded leaves can be added to your compost pile or used as an organic soil amendment. Leaves can also provide valuable habitat for overwintering insects, so there's no need to make every garden bed perfectly leaf-free.
Just keep heavy layers of leaves off lawns, where they can block sunlight and trap moisture, and remove leaves from areas where disease or pest problems have been an issue.
Ready to get growing?
A little preparation now can make a big difference come spring. Stop by New Morning this week and save on Vermont Compost products, including Fort Vee, Fort Light, Manure Compost and Perennial Blend. Whether you're amending your garden beds, planting perennials or getting a head start on next season's seedlings, it's a great time to stock up and get your garden ready.
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