I’ve been getting a lot of questions about how to prepare for winter, and I want to take the opportunity to coach you with a fall garden chore list!
I have over 20 chore ideas for you to do in the next 30-60 days! There are so many fall garden chores, but these are some that you don’t want to wait on!
In this week’s podcast I elaborate on this lengthy chore list and explain why you should do each activity! By learning the benefit of the chore, you are more likely to do it!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3hbOvOp53ViMoIPDAvlkKJ?si=a66eff15b77f4a51
Read the summarized list below, and click the links to see the YouTube episodes associated with this solid chore list!
Garden Chore List – FALL
- Wrap up Your Summer Harvest: Don’t wait until the last minute! Starting harvesting daily!
- Clean Up Your Ornamental Garden and Rose Beds: remove debris that may contain pathogens or fungus, add compost, and re-mulch if you haven’t already
- Clean Up and Cover Your “Resting” Vegetable Garden Beds: don’t leave a mess! Get these beds ready for spring now!
- Don’t Over Mulch: Not every plant should be mulched. Avoid the dreaded tree volcano!
- Remove 12 Month Old Tree Stakes: If you’re tree still needs stakes after 12 months, you have a big problem!
- Cut Back Perennials: Wait until you are sure the top growth is dead, then cut them back
- Prune Climbing Roses: Not all roses are pruned at the same time.
- Prune Woody Ornamental Shrubs: Pruning plants at the right time is key to keeping them healthy.
- Prune Shade and Ornamental Trees: The dormant period is ideal for large pruning projects to reduce the chances of pest and disease problems.
- Make a Plan: Now is the time to sketch out your current garden plan, where plants are located that survived summer, which plants will be transplanted that need a better site location, and add new plants
- Transplant Shrubs: late fall through winter is the best time to transplant woody shrubs
- Plant Vegetable Transplants: cool season crops like strawberry and broccoli should be transplanted in the garden in late fall instead of started from seed because of Houston’s warm winter climate
- Start Outdoor Seeds: Many cool season crops can benefit from the cool climate and can still be started from seed now or periodically sown throughout the winter
- Start Indoor Seeds: Start more difficult to grow winter crops indoors from seed and plan to transplant outdoors in winter
- Look Out for the First Frost of the Season: The first cold snap will catch you by surprise, so be on the lookout!
- Store Tools and Unused Plastic Pots: There’s a right way and a wrong way to store your tools!
- Bring in Tender Tropical or Xeriscape Potted Plants: These plants can struggle in temperatures above freezing but below 50 degrees. Move these in well before the first frost of the season to keep them healthy and happy
- Add vegetable garden hoops to Beds and Prep Freeze Cloth: Freeze cloth is an option just for frost or freeze events, but be prepared if you want year-round harvesting
- Start Your Garden Construction Projects: This is the slower gardening season of the year, so take advantage of the free time and add to your garden, do repairs, or start new unique projects
- Plan and Execute a Hugelkultur Raised Bed or Mound: What to do with all the debris from tree trimming projects, leaf clean up, and extra boxes from buying holiday presents? Use them, don’t lose them!
- Stock Up On Supplies: grab your dormant oil and copper fungicide for your fruit trees, look for discounts on end of summer gardening supplies like gloves, and so much more!
- Become Your Community’s Compost King or Queen: Solicit Neighbors and Commercial Landscape Companies for More Composting Materials
- Build a Larger Composting System: Have you tried a multi-bin system? Stay organized with this idea!
Other Ways you Can Learn From Me:
You can find me on Instagram if you’d like to connect and share your garden stories with me. I offer complimentary Q&A “mini-consultations” on Fridays in the stories section
Hiring a Designer:
If you tried to start a garden but had limited success or no idea how to start, ask the expert! HDG Landscape Design has over a decade experience advising clients on the when, where, what, why, and how of ornamental garden design, growing edible plants, and outdoor living and pool design. Visit our website for a list of services.