FALL GARDENING
Don't be deceived by fading blooms or shorter days: Fall is the optimal time to plant and prepare for next year.Â
Years ago, we prepared a list for fall-prep in Scarlett's Garden, which guides our fall today gardening and will keep our garden strong for seasons to come.
Every year, we update and check-off each item on our fall-prep list. See it below! Now you can use it for your garden too!Â
FALL PREP LIST:Â Check these items off each fall
FALL PRUNING
In Scarlett's Garden, there are certain plants that we always prune in the fall! Fall pruning in Scarlett’s Garden covers our limelight hydrangeas (especially because these grow fast and can easily get leggy the following spring), boxwood for a clean cut (although we don't find this entirely necessary and can wait for the spring), vines, and of course, cutting back the branches on our large trees!
FALL FEEDING
Fertilizing keeps your lawn and hardy plants strong ahead of the cold winter months. If you decide to fertilize your garden beds, many experts recommend applying fertilizer after September but before the start of December. Fall fertilizing has shown a difference in spring with stronger perennials and bigger blooms.
FALL CLEANING
With changing seasons come falling leaves, debris, and broken branches. In Scarlett's Garden, we usually schedule one large clean-up at the beginning of the season and small clean-ups throughout while keeping an eye on the non-evergreens on the grounds. Be sure to look up at what's left of the fall foliage before scheduling your last fall clean-up!
FALL PLANTING
Fall is an optimal time to plant bulbs that you want to bloom in the spring. If you are a beginner gardener, this is the perfect time to get started with planting bulbs of tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils. We started planting each of these bulbs early in Scarlett’s Garden and saw great success with these easy-to-grow bulbs, bringing a beautiful surprise every spring!
FALL MULCHING
While mulching in the spring is essential for providing necessary nutrients for your garden beds, don't leave out the fall mulching!
A fresh bed of mulch in the fall can provide insulation to protect your perennials throughout the harsh winter months, especially if you are in a northern gardening zone.
FALL WATERING
As you may have guessed, your flowers and shrubs don't need nearly as much water in the fall as in the spring & summer months. In Scarlett's Garden, we suggest tapering down the watering from every other day in the summer heat to only weekly in early September, then bi-weekly, and then monthly. We then shut off the sprinklers during our last fall clean-up in late November or early December, depending on the weather, and then we are done watering for the season!
FALL Annuals:Â plants that make the cut in Scarlett's Garden
Belgian Mums (Chrysanthemum)
It's a fall given in our garden: mums are a must. The mound of dense blooms on Belgian Mums make any planter look good and give a sensational show for the fall season. For summer, go with Lesconil White.
Belgium mums are a hardy annual that thrive in full sun.
They should be watered daily (or days when the soil feels dry) with a 2-watering-can serving. Make sure your planter box gets good drainage for all that water. Alternatively, mums can be planted in the ground or a raised bed and comeback every fall (ours do!)
Scarlett's Secret Tip: When buying Belgian Mums, pick out ones where the buds have not bloomed yet.
Autumn Joy
Fertilizing keeps your lawn and hardy plants strong ahead of the cold winter months. If you decide to fertilize your garden beds, many experts recommend applying fertilizer after September but before the start of December. Fall fertilizing has shown a difference in spring with stronger perennials and bigger blooms.
FALL CLEANING
With changing seasons come falling leaves, debris, and broken branches. In Scarlett's Garden, we usually schedule one large clean-up at the beginning of the season and small clean-ups throughout while keeping an eye on the non-evergreens on the grounds. Be sure to look up at what's left of the fall foliage before scheduling your last fall clean-up!
FALL MULCHING
While mulching in the spring is essential for providing necessary nutrients for your garden beds, don't leave out the fall mulching!
A fresh bed of mulch in the fall can provide insulation to protect your perennials throughout the harsh winter months, especially if you are in a northern gardening zone.
FALL WATERING
As you may have guessed, your flowers and shrubs don't need nearly as much water in the fall as in the spring & summer months. In Scarlett's Garden, we suggest tapering down the watering from every other day in the summer heat to only weekly in early September, then bi-weekly, and then monthly. We then shut off the sprinklers during our last fall clean-up in late November or early December, depending on the weather, and then we are done watering for the season!