[wpdreams_ajaxsearchlite]
Summer is a busy time where gardeners are in harvest mode, wearing their favorite gardening gloves. You can sense that the growing season has loosened up when your plants’ leaves start to change their color. But just because the season has changed does not mean that you can leave your garden unattended. Although it is trickier to grow plants in this chilly season, there are still many crops that you can plant in the fall. The fall’s cold air following the hot summer is relaxing for both the gardeners and their plants making it the best time for fall gardening.
Although the temperature dropped, the soil is still warm for your plant’s roots to grow. It typically rains during fall but deep-watering the plants even when it does not rain will be easy. The fall also brushes off disease and pests in your garden.
This article list down tasks you should do to end the gardening season and get you ready before the winter snow arrives. A little gardening will give your plants a head start for the next spring.
1. Clean Up
You might want to start your fall gardening by cleaning up your garden. Stimulating new growth begins from clearing out space. Fallen leaves and edibles need not go to waste. Tidy up fallen and rotten veggies that might attract pests. You may also collect your neighbor’s leaves if you want to. If you are planning to compost, keep in mind that diseased plants can destroy your yield, so they should not be in your compost.
Mowing over fallen leaves will also give the soil added organic nutrients. Mulching would help your plants preserve water for the later months. You may also want to include aeration in your Fall gardening this year. Piercing the soil will unbind compacted soil and allow nutrients, air, and water to penetrate the roots. Continuous weeding despite the cold temperature is encouraged. Common lawn weeds like clover grow faster in the chilly fall temperature.
2. Grow Vegetables
Before the icy winter arrives, it is a great idea to plant leafy greens. Some crops like kale and spinach grow fast enough before the winter could begin. Planting edibles is best done in early fall or late in the summer to allow the roots to settle. It is best to grow cool-season veggies like broccoli and lettuce, which also taste better with a little frost. Planting cover crops like clover and mustard is another option if you don’t want to include vegetables in your fall gardening. Cover crops manage soil erosion, enhance soil quality, and inhibit the growth of weeds.
Truper Tools 31185 Tru Tough Round Point Shovel, D-Handle, 30-Inch
3. Manage Shrubs and Trees
If your shrubs are not doing well in their current spot, fall is the perfect time to do transplanting. Shrubs give off food for birds during the freezing winter. Aside from shrubs, trees and perennials also flourish when sown during fall. It is an excellent time because the soil’s warmth encourages growth and allows the roots to develop before the upcoming year’s heat. To give them a head start, check the soil moisture and water the plants regularly. Dehydration is expected due to the cold weather’s drying winds. Enough moisture will assist your plants in bearing harsh conditions. Although the fall is the best time for planting new trees, evergreen species do best in the spring and, therefore, should be planted in that season.
4. Sow Flowers
Include bright and pretty flowers in your Fall gardening this year to get it ready for a fabulous spring show. Vibrant flowers like daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths are all perfect for spring. Some flowers that thrive in the coolness of fall might bloom in your garden beds or hanging baskets. During the colder, longer nights, chrysanthemums and viola will bloom even when no other flower will. Planting bulbs and perennial seeds in the fall is good; remember to do some mulching after planting.
5. Organize Gardening Tools
Your fall gardening does not end with cleaning up and planting down. Caring for your tools now and then will let them last and serve you longer. Doing some maintenance work will get your garden tools ready for the spring. To impede rusting, wash away piled-up dirt and chemicals. Give your tools extra care by sharpening and oiling them. To prevent wooden handles from snapping, applying linseed oil will do the trick. As for maintaining your mower, drain gasoline and change the oil as needed. Check the plugs, whether it needs changing too. Then store it together with other small engines in a dry space.
Recommended Readings:
