It’s hard to believe that winter is around the corner! That means you need to get your garden prepped if you haven’t already. Here are some important fall garden prep tips for next year’s crop. Good fall prep can help with a more bountiful garden for the following year.

Easy Fall Prep for Flower Beds and Other Gardens

As you begin to tidy up the yard/garden for winter, dispose of any dead or deceased plants. Once the remaining plants have been blackened by frost, pull them up and use them as compost. Avoid using any deseased plants in your compost to prevent pests from sticking through winter and wreaking havoc on next year’s garden.

Easy Fall Garden Prep for Your Vegetables

To reduce the risk of any insects and diseases be sure to remove all debris and any weeds. Till the soil. This is a great time of year to oxygenate the soil.

• Till once in each direction. In the fall you can get away with a rough till.
• The soil can be pretty wet and sticky in the spring, so till in the fall to reduce your amount of spring tilling.

Add organic matter

• Choosing to add organic matter or manure in the fall will allow more time for everything to become married to the soil.
• In early spring, microorganisms are less active than they are in the fall; feeding them in the fall will give your garden a head start in the spring.
• You may also choose to till in the organic matter.

If your garden has any areas that have gotten out of hand with the weeds, cover them with something the light can’t get through, like black plastic or cardboard. Leave it there until spring to kill the sprouting seeds.

Easy Fall Garden Prep for Your Herbs

The survival of your herbs during the winter will heavily rely on how well they were kept during the growing season. Make sure to water regularly, keep the soil well-drained, fertilize and prune as needed.

Most herb plants will also benefit from mulch cover after the first frost. Use 2-4 inches of mulch and be sure not to do so before the first heavy frost, as this can sometimes weaken the plants. Mulching for the winter can help regulate soil temperatures, thus reducing frequent freezing and thawing.

Trim off any dead wood from your thyme, sage and oregano plants. Cut off any dead flower heads.

If you live in a climate with very cold winters, you could also use some type of windbreak around the herbs. This can help protect them from harsh winter winds.

If you’re in need of some help with your yard this fall, reach out to Friske Lawn Care for a fall cleanup quote!