The end of summer is approaching and, with it, the harvest season comes to an end. But that doesn’t mean you’re done gardening just yet; there’s still plenty of work to do in your garden this fall!
In this post, we’ll offer advice for planning your garden for the winter so that you can have a great time outside all year round.
Plant a Fall Garden
While not all vegetables can be planted in the fall, you can usually get a few last crops in before the weather becomes too cold. Most root vegetables and greens are good choices for planting in the fall. So go ahead and dig them up to relocate them to another part of your garden or even just to store them for later use. (If you do decide to relocate your plants, make sure to water them well before digging so that they won’t wilt. You should also water them regularly while they are replanted.
Cover Your Plants
If you have crops that will be harder to relocate, you can cover them with a protective material to help keep the cold temperatures away. Glass or clear plastic sheets work best for this. We’ve also heard of people using old blankets and even newspapers if they don’t have access to anything more substantial. Just make sure you remove these covers when it’s time for spring planting; leaving them on would hinder your efforts.
Prepare for Frost
If you had a soggy summer, chances are that there are still some soggy spots in your garden and on your lawn. To prevent damage to plants, especially those that are buried beneath the ground or mulch, it’s best to use some extra protection in these areas to safeguard against frost. You can also create a shelter for your plants with ingenuity and old equipment!
Prepare for Winter
Besides some last minute gardening, you should also prepare your garden for a long cold winter. If you have crops that need protection from the cold, such as strawberries and salad greens, then be sure to put up a structure over them. Failing to do so could mean that they die and will never grow back again next year.
Inspect Plants
Before you start planting in the fall, it’s a good idea to take a look at your plants to make sure that they are healthy and ready for the cold. Inspecting your plants is especially important when you have crops that will be hard to relocate, such as tomatoes and peppers. Be on the lookout for signs of disease and insect damage as well. Sticking with a schedule for watering your plants can help keep them in peak condition for winter.
Plant Yield Will Decrease
Unfortunately, preparing your garden for winter means that you’ll likely get less yield this year than last year’s yield, so don’t despair if you’re not getting as much produce this fall as last year.
Bottom line
A garden should never be a place of solitude. It should always be alive – full of bees and butterflies, with birds ready to swoop down at the slightest hint of food for their young. We hope that you enjoy gardening in the fall, but if you do have any other tips or advice for spring or summer gardening, we’d love to hear them!