General Cleanup
Remove dead plants: Clear out annuals and vegetables that have finished for the season.
Rake leaves: Collect leaves from lawns and garden beds. Use them as mulch or compost.
Compost: Add plant debris and leaves to the compost pile but avoid diseased plants.
Planting
Spring bulbs: Plant tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and other spring-flowering bulbs.
Garlic: Now is a great time to plant garlic for a summer harvest.
Perennials: You can still plant or divide perennials like hostas, daylilies, and irises.
Lawn Care
Mow the lawn one last time: Keep grass at 2-2.5 inches to prevent mold growth under snow.
Fertilize: Apply a fall fertilizer to strengthen roots for winter.
Mulch and Protect Plants
Mulch perennials: Use leaves or straw to protect them from frost heaving.
Protect young trees: Wrap trunks with guards to prevent deer or rodent damage.
Water evergreens: Give evergreens a deep watering before the ground freezes.
Pruning
Prune dead branches: Remove dead or diseased branches from trees and shrubs.
Hold off on heavy pruning: Avoid cutting back too much now, as it can stimulate new growth that won’t harden off before winter.
Pests and Disease Control
Remove diseased plants: Don’t compost diseased material. Bag and dispose of it to prevent the spread of disease.
Check for pests: Inspect trees for any egg masses from gypsy moths or other pests.
Indoor Preparations
Bring in tender plants: Move houseplants and tender perennials like geraniums and begonias indoors before the first frost.
Store bulbs: If you’re digging up summer bulbs like dahlias or cannas, let them dry before storing them in a cool, dark place.
Soil Improvement
Add compost: Spread a layer of finished compost over garden beds to add nutrients and improve soil structure.
Leaf mulch: Shred fallen leaves and spread them over garden beds to break down and enrich the soil over winter.
Test soil: Fall is a great time to test your soil’s pH and nutrient levels. Amend the soil with lime or sulfur if needed to adjust the pH for spring planting.
Organic matter: Incorporate organic matter such as well-rotted manure or leaf mold into your soil to enhance fertility and water retention.
Mulch empty beds: Add a layer of straw, bark mulch, or compost over empty beds to prevent erosion and suppress weeds until spring.
