Fall Garden Cleanup Tips: 12 Steps to Prepare for the Frost
Fall is a busy time in the garden, but a little effort now goes a long way toward a healthier, more beautiful yard next spring.
Whether you're a new gardener or a seasoned grower, these essential fall garden cleanup tips will help you protect your plants, prepare your soil, and get everything ready for the cold season ahead.
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1. Remove Dead Annuals
Once the first light frost hits, annuals like zinnias, petunias, and impatiens will begin to fade.
These plants won’t return next year, so it’s best to pull them out by the roots and clear the space. If the plants are healthy and disease-free, add them to your compost bin.
However, if you notice mildew, blight, or insect damage, discard them in yard waste—not compost—to avoid spreading disease.
Pro Tip: Use garden shears to snip the base of large plants for an easier pull and less soil disruption.
2. Cut Back Perennials (But Not All)
Perennials like hostas, bee balm, and peonies benefit from being cut back in fall.
Trim them down to about 2–3 inches above the soil line to reduce overwintering pests and fungal diseases.
However, some perennials (like echinacea and rudbeckia) produce seed heads that birds love to snack on. Ornamental grasses also provide winter interest and help catch snow to insulate the soil.
Pro Tip: Label perennials with plant markers before cutting them back so you remember what’s planted where in spring.
3. Rake and Compost Leaves
Leaves are garden gold—if used wisely. Leaving too many leaves on your lawn can cause mold and smother the grass.
Instead, shred them using a mulching mower or leaf shredder and add them to your compost pile. Alternatively, use shredded leaves as mulch around perennials and trees.
Pro Tip: Layer leaves with green material like grass clippings to speed up composting.
4. Weed Thoroughly
Weeds don’t stop growing in fall, and many go to seed just before winter.
Removing them now prevents hundreds of new ones from sprouting in spring.
Focus on deep-rooted perennials like dandelions and bindweed.
Pro Tip: After a rainfall, the soil is softer and weeds come up more easily.
5. Amend and Mulch Garden Beds
Fall is the perfect time to improve soil structure.
Spread a 1–2 inch layer of compost, aged manure, or worm castings over garden beds to replenish nutrients.
Then add 2–4 inches of mulch to insulate plant roots, retain moisture, and suppress weeds.
Pro Tip: Avoid piling mulch directly against plant stems—this can cause rot.
6. Divide and Replant Perennials
If your perennial plants are crowded, fall is the ideal time to dig them up and divide them. This gives each new section room to grow and rejuvenates the plant.
Examples include daylilies, irises, and black-eyed Susans.
Pro Tip: Water new divisions well and add a layer of mulch to protect their roots as they establish before winter.
7. Dig Up Tender Bulbs
Tender bulbs such as dahlias, gladiolus, and calla lilies won’t survive a Canadian winter in the ground.
Carefully dig them up after the foliage dies back, allow them to dry for a few days, then store them in peat moss or newspaper in a cool, dark place.
Pro Tip: Label your bulbs before storage so you know what’s what come spring.
8. Protect Sensitive Plants
Not all plants are frost-hardy. Young trees, roses, and tender perennials may need some winter protection.
Wrap shrubs in burlap to shield them from windburn. Cover flower beds with frost cloth, especially during early frost warnings.
Pro Tip: For late-harvest vegetables like kale or carrots, use cold frames or floating row covers to extend the season.
9. Drain and Store Hoses and Irrigation Systems
Water left inside hoses and irrigation systems can freeze, expand, and cause cracks.
Disconnect and fully drain garden hoses, splitters, and drip irrigation lines.
Coil hoses neatly and store them in a shed or garage.
Pro Tip: Use a wet/dry vacuum or gravity drain to ensure all water is out of the system.
10. Clean and Sharpen Garden Tools
Fall is the time to give your tools a little TLC.
Clean off dirt and sap, then sharpen blades on pruners, shears, and shovels. Apply a light coating of oil to prevent rust during winter storage.
Pro Tip: Store hand tools in a bucket of sand mixed with linseed oil to keep them clean and rust-free.
11. Clean Out Containers and Raised Beds
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Pots and raised beds can harbour pests, fungi, and weeds if left full over winter.
Dump old soil (if it's diseased or depleted), scrub containers with a 10:1 water-to-bleach solution, and let them air dry. Stack breakable containers upside down or bring them inside.
Pro Tip: You can reuse soil if it’s healthy—just mix in compost or fresh potting mix to rejuvenate it.
12. Plant Spring Bulbs
Don’t forget to plant spring bloomers like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths before the ground freezes.
Dig holes 2–3 times the height of the bulb, place them pointed end up, and cover with soil.
Add a layer of mulch for insulation.
Pro Tip: Squirrels love bulbs—add chicken wire or sprinkle bone meal to deter digging.
Fall garden cleanup is a simple yet powerful way to improve your garden's performance and reduce maintenance.
Whether you're growing vegetables, flowers, or maintaining decorative paths, doing these 12 things will help you come Spring..
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