October 2024
By Kristine Liebman

The end of summer into fall can be an exciting time for gardeners. There’s lots to do ahead of the next spring season but it’s also a time to reap the benefits of the end-of-summer harvest. Here are some ideas to not only bring continued pleasure from your garden but also ensure the best results for the season ahead. 

Time to Harvest

Pickling and canning vegetables is a great way to enjoy the fruits of your labor all year long. Use tomatoes for sauces, vegetables for soups & stews and fruits for jams. Cutting herbs back to dry by hanging them in a cool dry space and then adding them to meats, gravies, baked breads or muffins is a great way to enjoy them through the winter months. Harvest plants such as roses and lavender to dry indoors. These can then be used in decorative projects such as wreaths, sachets or simply adding to a vase as you would a fresh flower arrangement. If there is a plant that did particularly well, collect the seeds, dry them out, place in a small, labeled packet and store in a cool dry place for use next season.

Plant Bulbs in the Fall for the Spring

October through November is a great time to plant bulbs for your spring garden. This is typically the time when soil temperatures drop. There’s such a variety to choose from to mix and match. Make sure to check the zone as some zones need cold-hardy bulbs but many bulbs can be planted in the fall in zones 3 through 9. Give them a feeding when planting and again after their spring bloom with a good organic bulb food such as Espoma Organic Bulb-Tone. Lots of plants benefit from bulb food including daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, crocus, iris, jonquils, snowdrops, narcissus, gladioli, dahlias, caladiums, tuberous begonias, scillas, peonies, anemones, cannas.

Here’s some quick steps to get started

• Prep soil by raking and clearing any debris
• Dig an appropriate size hole that is deep and wide enough and make sure the bulbs are planted in the right direction
• Choose bulbs that are pest resistant especially if you have deer or other animals that enjoy nibbling on your plants
• Add bulb food and give them a deep watering which will help the bulbs to root

Do a Fall Cleanup

• Weed one last time for the season and dispose of all weeds. Do not add weeds to your compost as they might produce seeds that could ultimately germinate in your garden
• Rake out garden beds removing leaves, dried grass, dead blooms on perennials, and end of season annuals and produce such as vegetables and herbs that are finished growing for the season. This material can be added directly to your compost
• Give the dirt a good turning which allows the nutrients to better serve the garden the following season
• Mix in a few inches of compost
• Add a layer of mulch, leaves or cover crop to garden beds protecting annuals from frost
• Label any new plants or plants moved to a new location
• Clean out window boxes, keeping any plants that continue to bloom, while also adding seasonal items such as mini pumpkins, gourds and small mums for easy and beautiful options to enhance your home’s exterior

Enjoy the Outdoor Season Indoors!

Bringing potted plants inside making sure to give them the right amount of light. You’ll want to continue to water them, but less frequently with minimal fertilizer. This will allow outdoor plants to acclimate to the indoor setting as they become semi-dormant before returning outdoors again next season.

This is also a time to bring the joy of the fall season inside with all the amazing colors, smells and natural elements that are only available this time of year. Of course, everyone loves all the pumpkins, gourds and fall decorations, but there are also natural plants that remain colorful and interesting for longer periods of time that are so much fun to have around the house. Try bringing in topiaries that won’t survive outdoors and will be a beautiful addition to any indoor décor. Another example are ornamental pepper plants shown here in a variety of colors and textures! They are especially seasonal and add a pop of color to kitchen and dining areas.

Protecting Perennials & Shrubs

• Prune and trim back any dead branches
• Give all the plants a last watering for the season before any frost
• Lay leaves or mulch covering the base of plants and surrounding ground area

 Consider covering plants with protection such as burlap, polypropylene fabric with or without a hoop frame allowing a more secure safety structure. There are many product options including small mesh tents, drawstring bag covers or even mini greenhouses!

Don’t Forget About the Wildlife!

• Clean out bird feeders and refill with a fresh mix of bird food for the winter season
• In areas with less winter frost, continue to keep water in bird baths as a source of clean fresh water for birds and other wildlife
• You might also consider adding plants to your yard or garden that have berries that will continue to feed birds throughout the winter

Seasonal Maintenance

• Check garden fencing, planters, etc. making repairs of any seasonal damage
• Paint or stain structures as needed
• Clean out pots and store for future use for new seedlings and next season’s plants
• Drain hoses and winterize outdoor faucets
• Clean and store all tools safely and properly

This might all seem like a lot of work, but putting in the time and effort during the fall will bring great benefits in the spring. You will be happy you took these steps, and it will feel good to have a fresh clean slate to start with when next season arrives.

Cerbo’s is here to help with all your landscape and garden needs! Come in and see all the seasonal and year round products, explore our beautiful greenhouse and outdoor nursery filled with unique shrubs, trees and native plants. Be sure to follow us on Instagram!