Fall Gardening: Things You Can Do To Enjoy A Fabulous Spring Garden

30 Nov Fall Gardening: Things You Can Do To Enjoy A Fabulous Spring Garden

Whether you are a new or experienced gardener, fall is an exciting time of year. It’s when you can get out in the garden and enjoy all that it has to offer while planning for next spring.

So, if you like to get your hands dirty, then read on! You can do many things now, so when spring rolls around again, everything looks fantastic.

The Benefits of Garden Planting During Fall

It’s almost winter, but you still have the chance to plant new spring bulbs and perennials. Here are a few reasons why you should consider doing so:

1) Warm Soil Temperatures

In the fall, temperatures drop considerably, but the earth is still warm from months of summer heat. Warm soil temperatures encourage seeds to germinate and roots to develop, whether you’re sowing wildflower seeds for a tiny pollinator meadow, planting garlic cloves, or growing a new flowering shrub.

Plant roots grow throughout the colder months, often right up until the ground freezes. As a result, plants establish themselves before winter’s frigid temperatures put them to sleep. Because of this head start in root development, the plant will have a lot of energy to grow quickly come springtime.

2) Cool Air Temperatures

Summer heat stress is no longer an issue with cooler air temperatures during the day. This climate is ideal for fall planting because plants now focus their energy below ground, and growth begins to slow as the season progresses — a combination that’s perfect for autumn planting. Protected roots keep growing, but plants limit tender, new top growth that would be damaged by cold.

Gardeners will also benefit from cooler temperatures. It’s much more pleasurable to plant in the cold than in the blistering sunlight. After the first hard freeze, it’s a good idea to cover newly planted plants with an inch of organic mulch, such as compost or pine needles, to help them avoid heaving out of the ground during cold winters.

3) Less Competition From Weeds

Many common lawn and garden weeds slow down or vanish come fall due to the changing seasons. Less weeding around new plants is beneficial to gardeners, but less competition from active weeds is even better for young plants.

In the spring, active weeds vie for water, light, and nutrients against your new plants. They fight for every ray of sunshine and every raindrop in a fierce battle for survival. Planting in fall allows new plants to establish without battling against weeds. Your newly planted plants will have a significant edge over the competition by springtime.

Things You Can Do During Fall To Enjoy A Better Garden Come Spring

Here are some things you can start doing now to have a happier, healthier yard and garden in the spring:

1) Evaluate Your Garden

Take some time this fall to examine your garden. What worked? What didn’t work? Make a list of your successes and failures so you can refer back to it when planning next year’s garden. You may find that certain plants did not grow well in the soil or had too much shade for others. The list will come in handy when you start planning for next season.

2) Clean Up Your Garden

After the garden has been harvested, it’s time to clean up! Remove any dead plant matter, weeds you don’t want, and old mulch that is worn out or contains weed seeds. You can add all these materials to your compost pile or wood chipper if you have one.

3) Add Compost or Manure to Your Soil

Add compost or manure to your garden beds. These natural soil amendments improve drainage and boost microbial activity in the soil, giving nutrients to plants. You can also use compost tea to help break down organic matter in the soil and release its nutrients.

4) Cover Your New Plantings

When you are finished planting for the season, cover your new plants with organic mulches such as compost, hay, straw, wood chips, pine needles, or shredded leaves. Mulch protects soil over the winter months by keeping it moist and insulating roots from the harsh cold and temperatures below zero.

5) Plant Spring Blooming Bulbs

Plant spring-blooming bulbs, such as tulips or daffodils. Bulbs are a great option because you can plant them in the fall for a beautiful display of color come springtime.

Need Assistance With Your Fall Gardening?

Fall is officially here, and it’s time to start thinking about what you can do to enjoy a fabulous spring garden next year. Let Kel Lake Garden Centre show you how easy it is with these simple tips! If you need more information, contact us today by sending an e-mail to info@kellake.ca. We’re always happy to help, so don’t hesitate!