A list of things to do in the Fall:
Start a Compost Pile – composting information
Compost
Lawn
Fertilize with organic lawn fertilizer– helps root growth over winter
Apply pre emergent – corn gluten meal– prevents weed seeds from germinating (only if not overseeding your lawn)
Remove leaves from lawn – mow, mulch, compost
Aerate
Topdress with compost
Seed or overseed lawn (do not use corn gluten meal when planting seed)
Mow until the first frost
Lower mower height for the last mowing to 1 ½ – 2”
Water until first hard frost
Winterize sprinkler system – shutoff, drain
Drain and store hoses
Garden Beds, Shrubs, Trees
Cut back perennials if brown, remove annuals and weeds – add all except weeds to the compost pile (cutting back can be done in Spring if you prefer)
Clean out vegetable garden whenever you are done or around first frost/before first hard frost – pick, sell, preserve, or donate produce
Divide and/or transplant perennials
Plant perennials, shrubs, trees
Plant spring flowering bulbs
Tulips
Plant fall flowers, vegetables, and annuals – pansies, mums, lettuce, spinach, peas, kale
Wrap bark of young trees – helps to prevent sunscald, cracking, deer damage
Wrap evergreens with burlap if desired
Water trees, shrubs, perennials until the ground freezes
Trees and shrubs – Prune dead or broken only
After first frost – mulch plants which might frost heave – use straw or leaves
Remove fallen fruit – compost
Prepare Square Foot Garden beds
Overwinter geraniums indoors if you want to save them for next year – dig up and place in a brown paper bag, replant in the spring or grow inside in a pot all winter
Prepare tender plants to move indoors
Tools
Clean out underneath lawn mower – disconnect spark plug first
Add fuel stabilizer to gas cans and gas powered equipment if there is gasoline inside
Check mower blades – need replaced or sharpened?
Check hand tools – need replaced or sharpened?
Wipe hand tools with steel wool or a damp cloth and apply oil or store in sand/motor oil mix
Be sure all batteries are charged
Check extension cords for cuts, frays,etc
House
Cedar shredded bark around foundation – insect prevention
Orange Guard or similar spray around foundation – insect prevention
Hang Christmas lights – before snow fall
Plan garden for next year
Write down successes, failures,varieties you liked, etc
Check online for catalogs – order those you want to receive
Learn from books, classes, pruning demonstrations so you are better prepared next year. Sign up on this site to receive gardening information by email and/or check my calender for gardening classes or schedule your own class.