Temperatures and falling and so are the leaves. But there is still plenty of time to get in the garden before the first frost of fall. Working on your garden this fall will give it a head start come Spring.

Water, water, water

• Continue to water the garden until the ground freezes, especially evergreen trees, seasonal annuals and newly planted perennials.
• Newly planted perennials trees and shrubs are working hard to establish a root system before winter. Continue to water until the ground freezes to give them the boost they need.

Lawn care

• Continue to mow your lawn and water it regularly until the temperature is consistently below 50 degrees. Learn more about Fall Lawn Care.
• Apply Winterguard and Fall Lawn Care fertilizers to your grass for a boost before the first frost. 

Learn more about Prepping Your Lawn for Winter.

Planting

• Fall is great for planting.  It’s a great time to get trees and shrubs established before winter. Planting in the fall will give them a head start on blooming in the Spring.
• Divide and transplant perennials until the ground freezes.  Learn more about dividing and translating. 
• As summer annuals die back, plant late-season annuals like mums, pansies, kale, and cabbage for a spot of color in the garden. Learn more about Adding Fall Color. 
• Plant spring-flowering bulbs now for color this Spring. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocus need a cooling period before they will bloom in the spring. Plant these before the ground freezes. Learn more about Planting Spring-flowering Bulbs.

Create a Seasonal Container Garden.

Prep for Spring

• Assess areas in the garden that may need work, and develop a plan now to implement next Spring.  
• Lift and store tender bulbs such as cannas, dahlias, and gladiolus after the first frost.
• Prune roses after they’ve finished flowering.  Prune late-flowering shrubs and trees when they’ve lost their leaves and have gone dormant. Learn more about Caring for Roses.
• Improve garden soil with organic matter, such as manure or soil conditioner. Learn more with Recipes for Great Planting Soil.
• Fertilize deciduous and evergreen shrubs after Halloween.

Other Tips

• Keep bird feeders clean and full of bird feed. As temperatures cool off it is harder for birds to find food. Keeping yours well-stocked will give them a reliable place for food. Learn more about how to Keep Birds Around this Fall. 
• Bring indoors any houseplants that have been vacationing outdoors for the summer. Make sure they are inside before the first frost. Learn more about Bringing Hosue Plants Inside. 

Get more ways to Celebrate Fall. 

For more information on fall gardening, visit any English Gardens location and talk to an expert.