Fall gardening chores involve . . .
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. . . a series of tasks which must be done before the snow flies. This article lists and
explains 9 fall gardening chores to be done before the ground freezes.
9 Important Fall Gardening Chores
© Veronica Sliva
In the fall, the colours are more intense and clear and
everything seems to stand out as if to say "Look at Me!"
As the days get shorter and the leaves fall, the first frost is imminent. Here's a list of fall
gardening chores to get you started at putting the garden to bed.
Pick Green Tomatoes:
Don't leave your green tomatoes on the vine to be done in by the frost. I've had success
ripening tomatoes by wrapping them in newspaper for a few days, even weeks.
This works especially well if there is even a hint of colour on them. They
are especially delicious when dipped in a beaten egg, dusted with flour and fried until crisp.
Divide Perennials:
Fall is a good time to divide overgrown perennials. Trade your extras with friends and neighbours. Your plants will
reward you with increased vigour.
Mulch Perennials:
When you are flower
gardening, you will notice how the freezing and thawing that occurs during the winter months causes the ground to heave.
Perennial roots get exposed to the frigid air, causing damage. Though a good snow cover
protects plants, with the milder winters we've been experiencing, you can't count on it.
It's best to protect especially the more tender perennials by mulching around
them.
The important thing to remember is to mulch after the ground is frozen. If you do it too
soon, you create a nice cozy winter home for mice and other critters.
Dig up Tender Bulbs
Summer flowering bulbs like canna lilies, dahlias and gladioli should be dug up after the first frost blackens their leaves.
Wash off any soil that is still clinging to them and let them air dray inside for a couple of
weeks.
When completely dry, store them in dry wood shavings (like animal litter), or peat moss in paper
bags or cardboard boxes and keep them in a cool frost-free spot over winter.
Resist Being Too Tidy
Many flower gardening beginners like to cut all their perennials down to ground level. If you can stand it, leave the seed
heads and stalks.
The seed heads will attract and feed winter birds, and if you mulched your perennials, the stalks
will help to hold the mulch in place.
The hollow stalks of some plants (like dahlias) should be cut down because they harbour
insects.
Anything that is diseased should be removed and discarded.
Protect Your Roses
All but the hardy species roses should have some winter protection. There are as many ways to do this as there are
gardeners.
I prune the rose back to about knee high and draw soil around the base of the bush to a height of
20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches). After the ground freezes up, I draw some more soil up around the rose bush.
Give Shrubs and Trees a Good Watering
Keep watering shrubs and
trees right up until the ground freezes.
Evergreens especially need to store moisture when heading into the winter months. They don't
lose their leaves and continue to give off moisture throughout the cold months, so they need to be well hydrated.
Plant Some Vegetables
Fall seeding can mean a crop two to three weeks earlier next year. Lettuce, carrots, parsnips, spinach, parsley, and onions
are often successful when planted in the fall.
Timing the fall seeding is important and should be done just before the ground freezes
up.
Take Photos and Keep a Journal
Take lots of photos of the garden
now and make some notes about what you like and what you'd like to change.
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About the Author:
Veronica Sliva is a freelance writer living in the Durham Region, Ontario, Canada. vsliva@slivacommunications.com
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