By Debbie Brown, PC EMG
The crisp days of fall are the perfect time to get outside and tidy up the garden. Tasks that are done now will ensure a more beautiful winter landscape and a healthier soil for spring planting.
Begin by clearing the vegetable garden thoroughly of all dead plants. Pull up roots and rake up debris. Place all the healthy vegetation in a compost pile so it will work for you to enrich soil in the future. Avoid adding any diseased debris to your compost.
Flower beds should be edited more cautiously. Rescue any annuals you want to keep overwinter by digging up the entire plant before the first frost. Cut them back by a third, plant in fresh potting soil and treat as you would an indoor plant until early spring. This is a great way to enjoy flowers and herbs all winter. Alternatively, root the cuttings of special annuals to save for planting next year. Discard or compost remaining annuals from your beds.
It’s wise to leave healthy standing perennials in your garden, especially those with seed heads. They will add winter interest to the landscape and will serve as a valuable resource for birds and beneficial insects seeking food and shelter in the non–growing season. Cut back and discard any plant stems that have powdery mildew or other diseases. Give all perennials a deep watering before the first frost. Pull all those weeds one final time so they won’t go to seed and cause even more work next year.
Add a nice blanket of compost or mulch in beds after the first hard frost. The mulch will keep moisture in and the roots warm overwinter. The warmer environment also means organisms will be at work longer which results in improved soil. Avoid placing mulch against the base of trees and shrubs since this can cause damage to the roots. A cover crop planted in the vegetable garden can also add valuable nutrients to the soil.
Make the most of all the leaves on the ground. Shred them with a mower and leave to provide your lawn with nutrients and organic matter. If you have an over–abundance of leaves, rake or blow and add to the compost pile. All garden beds benefit from a layer of leaves left during the winter months. Any thick layers can be removed in the spring.
Keep in mind that fall is a great time to divide crowded perennials that bloom in the spring and summer. Now is also ideal for planting new perennials including bulbs, shrubs and trees. In the midst of all this work, consider having your soil tested and adding needed amendments so your garden will thrive even more next year. Contact the Patrick County office of Virginia Cooperative Extension at 276-694-3341 for their assistance.
Taking time for garden chores now will make spring planting easier and more productive. When winter weather hits, we can relax with a cup of hot cocoa and pour over seed catalogs planning out our next gardening adventure.
Tune into WHEO, 92.7 FM or 1270 AM, on October 27 at 8:30 a.m. when Patrick County Master Gardeners discuss more on fall gardening and winter preparation.
