Autumn is here – and as the leaves go down more rapidly from the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with each passing day , that means winter is not far behind – which makes it all the more important to take time now to prepare your bed of flowers for the upcoming bullying weather !
consider it or not , fall flowerbed care is just as importantif not more importantthan spring and summer care . Especially when it comes to conserve flowerbed that have sound industrial plant , few pests , and minuscule to no widow’s weeds .
One of the biggest error gardeners make in the fall with their flowerbeds is to do nothing at all . Although your plant might be done blooming and the foliage might be die back – it does n’t imply it ’s meter to pack it in .
Allowing the dying flowers and foliage of the plants to remain over the winter can cause serious issues for your plants – and your flowerbeds next year. As can leaving your beds without mulch!
Late dusk care is vital in protecting plant from the forthcoming winter . And , as you will see below , it can also play a monolithic function in helping to eliminate next year ’s Mary Jane and weeding chores !
How To Prepare Flowerbeds For Winter – 3 Must Do Chores To Do In Late Fall
Fall is a decisive time to clean-cut weed from your flowerbed . Just because they may die back from a frost or freeze – it does n’t mean they wo n’t come back next year . In fact , by letting them live now , you actually aid them come back strong than ever next spring .
By mid spill , most weeds take form their seed heads . Unfortunately , when you allow weeds remain in place , those cum eventually go down to the soil . And when they do , they imbed thousands of potential weeds for next spring and summertime .
But there is also another very important grounds to dispatch weeds now . Although their foliage may pass away back for wintertime , their roots remain very much alive . And when left in the ground , those root word use up the wet , nitrogen , atomic number 19 , phosphorous and other trace minerals your perennial need for selection .
Thistle can be a nightmare when it establishes in the soil. And unlike many other weeds and plants that die off in early fall, when allowed to stick around, its roots can continue growing until deep into the winter.
Even worse , in the case of invasive grass such as thistle , they can continue to mature under the warm ground virtually all winter foresighted . And when spring rolls around , can come back with a vengeance !
That is why it ’s significant to take time now to off the existing locoweed in your flowerbed and their germ head teacher . The good news ? dip ’s wetter weather condition and cool weather make it far easy to do than in the dry , hot conditions of summertime .
In addition to any gage that may be lollygag in your bed , it ’s also important to remove any dying and decay foliation and bloom from your works . That includes both annual and recurrent plant life .
Why ? Not only will leaving the perish foliage and blooms make your beds look less than desirable , more importantly , all of that decaying works foliage can cause big way out next class if allowed to winter in your flowerbeds .
Annuals such as petunias , marigold and impatiens are full of seed principal on their blooms . If allowed to overwinter , those seed channelize sprout to become next old age volunteer weeds . Even worse , their decay leaf becomes an ideal emcee for insects and disease to multiply and lie down in hold .
Clear your beds of any and all annuals in late fall . With annuals , it ’s also best to slay their roots . Again , the decay root can well harbor insects and disease .
In addition , be sure to bump off any potted or container annuals site in or near flowerbeds as well . The come pods can well blow into nearby flowerbed , causing the same seed - sprouting weed issues next year .
Now it ’s time to tackle your recurrent industrial plant – or more precisely , your herbaceous repeated plants . Not all recurrent chaparral and plants need to be trim down back in the fall . Some , like hydrangeas , rhododendrons and azaleas , need to be left alone to keep next year ’s blooms in tact .
However , herbaceous perennials , which are works whose foliage dies back to the ground each year , should always be trim down back before winter arrives .
Just like dying yearbook , decaying flora matter is perfect for pests to use as both a intellectual nourishment source and cover . let the old leaf to stay on also makes it light for mildew , mould and disease to gain a footing .
The easiest fashion to cut back plants is with a sharp pair of hedge trimmers . Just slip them under the pass away foliation and cut within a few inches of the ground . All of that snuff it foliage is perfect for your compost pile . Just do n’t leave to first remove and seed heads to prevent volunteers in your compost atomic reactor !
One thing you do n’t require to do at this point is fertilize any of your repeated plants , shrub or shrub . Late fertilizing can actually spur on unwanted late ontogenesis both above and below footing . Unfortunately , any previous season growing not only burns precious vigor from the plant , it also puts it at peril of freeze out .
Fall is the time to cut back the dying foliage of hostas, daylilies and other herbaceous perennials. Allowing them to remain is not only unsightly, it can harbor pests and disease.
Now that your flowerbeds are clear of grass and honest-to-god plant foliage – they are quick for the net step to prepare them for wintertime – a stocky layer of fall mulch !
So many nurseryman rate a huge vehemence on spring mulching . And for good ground . But in many way , fall mulching is actuallymoreimportant . Not so much for spirit , but for stopping next year ’s weeds and providing protection for plants through wintertime .
Flowerbeds leave alone simple through the wintertime are easy approach for blow and drift sess seed to find a home . And once they do , they will plant themselves and lie in waiting until fountain . Bare soil also leaves recurrent roots more vulnerable to freezing out in passing cold weather .
If that was n’t enough , leave the soil widely open also allows cute top ground to lap away . Unprotected soil erodes easily from winter ’s winds , rain and C. P. Snow .
If you require to truly attain the upper deal next twelvemonth on weeds and weed , it all begins this fall with a stocky coat of protective mulch . But how you apply it can be just as important in the process .
Unfortunately , a big mistake nurseryman often make in the fall is to turn or throw the mulch already in their beds . Some do it to freshen up the look so they do n’t have to bring mulch . Others do it to clean up the bed before lend more . Sadly , both cause more weeds than ever !
One of the best things you can do for your plants and flowerbeds in the fall is put down a fresh coat of mulch.
When you stir survive mulch and ground – you replant any and all weed seeded player that were laying inactive on the soil . The less you disturb the old mulch the better . Instead , simply top coat flowerbeds with a thick-skulled 4 inch bed of new mulch .
Not only will it help protect against gage , it will also aid isolate the roots of your perennial from winter ’s fury . And best of all – it will have your beds looking great all winter , and ready to grow like crazy next spring !
Jim and Mary Competti have been save horticulture , DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 yr from their 46 Akko Ohio farm . The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and beloved to locomote in their bare time .
