Sep 11, 2011 4 min read

It seems that only a few weeks ago we were lamenting the unbearable heat and humidity of summer. Now, leaves on trees are beginning to change color and cooler night temperatures are plainly telling me that the growing season will soon come to an end. Where does the time go so quickly?

I have to admit that this summer the weeds took over my garden and I worry that the new plants I planted in June may have been overwhelmed by the competition. I still have hopes of weeding some of those overgrown flower beds before the end of October-the reason being that whatever work I can still do this fall will make my gardening next spring that much easier.

With that in mind, and the dwindling amount of daylight we have between a long day at work and nightfall, I offer up a few fall gardening chores that can help ensure that next year’s gardening season gets off to a good start. Do these 10 tips in the weeks ahead and you can shorten nextspring’s “to do” list:

1.) Get a head start on controlling plant diseases next growing season by pulling dead plants and picking up debris that may harbor pathogens and pests over the winter.

2.) You can decrease the number of pests in your garden next year by tilling the garden in the fall, too. It exposes over-wintering pests that burrow beneath the surface to predators and freeze-thaw cycles that can kill them.

3.) Want to get a head start on planting next spring? Work your soil in the fall so it is ready to go as soon as the temperature and moisture content is ideal for what you want to plant.

4.) Incorporate compost and other organic matter into your garden soil in the fall. Autumn temperatures are higher than spring temperatures and there is more time for decomposition to occur over the winter months.

5.) Fall also is a good time to add some soil amendments, such as wood ashes which should not come in direct contact plant roots or germinating seedlings. If you need to raise the pH of your garden soil, one option is to spread a thin layer of wood ashes over the garden in the fall (no more than 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet). Wood ashes contain potash, phosphate, boron and other elements for good soil.

6.) Consider planting a cover crop, such as annual rye or ryegrass, in the fall before the first killing frost. Cover crops are an inexpensive way to prevent erosion, hold nutrients over the winter and provide additional organic matter to the soil right before spring planting.

7.) Need to aerate your lawn? Fall is one of the best times to do it. Make sure the equipment you use removes plugs of soil. Equipment with spikes or solid tines can increase compaction of the soil.

8.) Early fall is a good time to plant perennials, shrubs and trees. However, be sure you plant early enough to allow the plant to establish itself before the ground freezes and the root system goes dormant.

9.) After the soil temperature has dropped, mulch your perennial flowerbeds, bulbs, strawberry patch and around shrubs and small trees. Mulching helps protect against extreme cold and soil heaving freeze-thaw cycles, which can work plants right out of the ground.

10.) Clean and disinfect your gardening tools before putting them away for the winter.

I hope these tips give you a nice head start on next year’s garden. Now, it’s time for me to get started. How about you?

Susan Brimo-Cox gardens, observes nature and writes in Ohiopyle, Pa. Readers can send questions or comments to her at naturesgarden@brimo-cox.com.

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