By Casa de Suna
Published Sep 29
Whether you’re lucky enough to have a garden in your backyard, help out with a community space in your area, or are simply curious about the preparatory work that goes into having a green thumb, there’s lots to love about gardening–but there’s also lots to know.
Gardens may look like they come into bloom effortlessly, but the reality is that lots of work has to happen in the background to get them into a perfect place. As we approach fall and winter, read on for our tips on preparing your very own garden for the seasons ahead.
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Clear out space from summer
Got dead plants or weeds? Get those out of your garden to make space for ushering in next seasons’ florals. If your plants are still thriving but there’s not enough space to plant for fall, you may have to say goodbye to some of the healthy ones, too. But don’t fret–you can easily press them into gorgeous, dried flowers for holiday gifting. Also, when you remove certain annuals (otherwise known as plants that only grow in a certain season), try to collect their seeds–you should be able to plant them next year. And don’t forget to pickle and preserve whatever you can!
Plan backwards from the first freeze
Make sure you’re not taken by surprise when the first freeze comes–it can spell the end for many plants. Around eight weeks before you expect it to come, it’s time to start planning (and if you have no idea when it’s set to come, connect with fellow gardeners in your area–and start tracking it so you know for next year). If you’re in the United States, you can also check your USDA zone for tips on when it’s time to start preparing for the subsequent planting season.
Make three decisions before you map things out
There’s an abundance of choice when it comes to what to plant in the fall and winter months, but don’t bite off more than you can chew! Here are our three tips for making sure you don’t overcrowd your garden, or commit to planting things you don’t have time to tend to:
- Determine how much space you have left for fall & winter plants.
- Decide how much time you want to dedicate to gardening–in some cases, this will determine whether you purchase seedlings or seeds.
- Then, decide what you want to grow! We love the Farmer’s Almanac for this.
Care for your soil & water
Compost your summer waste, and then use it to amend the soil in the areas where you took out your summer plants. It’s also important to make sure your watering system works.
Don’t forget flowers!
Lettuce, garlic (fall garlic is not to be missed), and root vegetables get a lot of love this time of year (including from us! We love planting sweet potatoes, swiss chard, and lots more), but fall flowers are saturated, vibrant, and especially beautiful when complementing foliage: we love sunflowers, mums, and marigolds.
Did you use any of our gardening tips? Tag us on social media using #casadesuna
