Many of next season’s problems can be avoided by careful fall cleanup.

Although we all live in specific zoned areas, no one can exactly pinpoint when frost and snow will come. Many gardens survive just fine with no attention at all in the fall. Be very cautious when pruning in the fall, especially trees. UNLESS you have dead branches. OR, there are branches that may become a hazard in the winter it is probably best to wait to prune until next spring. Your trees are better off putting energy into their roots during the colder seasons. Any cuts from pruning may not heal in time. Open cuts can leave your tree vulnerable during the harsh winter months.Your trees will thank you by being healthy in the spring.

It may be tempting to cut back the whole flower garden in the fall, but it can be helpful to leave some perennials standing throughout the winter. However, there are some perennials that don’t handle winter weather very well.

Here is a list of some Perennials that can benefit from a Fall Clean-up:
Anemone , Baptisia, Beebalm (Monarda), Blanket Flower (Gaillardia), Brunnera, Catmint (Nepeta), Columbine, Crocosmia (Crocosmia), Daylily (Hemerocallis), Clematis, Hollyhock Mallow, Iris, Ligularia, Marguerite Daisies, Meadow Rue, Painted Daisy, Penstemon, Peony, Perennial Sunflower, Phlox, Perennial Salvia, Veronica/Spike Speedwell and Yarrow. (to name a few)

Any spent plants, leaves or pruning clippings should be removed, especially if they had bugs or were diseased in any way.

Just one weed left to mature can produce seeds that will grow into weeds next year, so weed the garden one last time. The holes left behind from weeding and removing spent plants are perfect spots to plant spring-flowering bulbs.

Now is a great time to make a note or put markers down of what plants were grown where. Doing this in perennial beds and veggie gardens is extremely helpful for spring gardening. It also prevents removing plants that may be mistaken for weeds.

Fall is a great time to get your soil tested. Van Bourgondien Nursery does free soil testing, just bring us a sample. It is never a bad idea to add a soil amendment however, (we recommend Bumper Crop) so it will have time to break down and be available to your plants next spring. It is also a very good idea to use Bumper Crop and an Organic Starter Fertilizer when planting spring flowering bulbs.

Van Bourgondien NurseryBumper Crop Organic Soil Amendment is a soil building blend of manure and high organic nutrient content of shellfish compost, dark, rich earthworm castings (adds minerals and biology), kelp, peat, aged bark, and lobster – inoculated with endo and ecto michorrizal fungi to improve root function. Bumper Crop is suitable for use with vegetables, trees, shrubs, flower gardens, and even lawns.

Bumper Crop Starter Food is a blend of select natural ingredients formulated for use throughout the garden to help newly transplanted plants develop strong roots and sturdy growth. Bumper Crop Starter Food is suitable for use with vegetables, trees, shrubs, flower gardens, and even lawns.

It is also an important part of fall cleanup to apply mulch. There will be plenty of room and applying mulch will help conserve moisture in your garden going into the winter. Mulching also helps protect the roots and crowns from cold damage.

It is also a perfect time to check the gutters and clean them out of leaves and debris that may have accumulated.

Taking the time to do a few last fall chores will help prepare the garden for winter and make it ready for next spring.

As always any questions you may have about Fall Gardening we are always here to help!