How to Prepare Your Garden for Fall

While spring is the time to plant and summer is the time to grow, fall is the time to prepare. As your plants begin to wind down and cooler temperatures take over, now’s your opportunity to set your garden up for long-term success. With the right fall gardening strategy, your spring planting will be easier—and more productive.

1. Walk Your Garden and Inspect Thoroughly

Begin by walking through your garden and making detailed observations:

• Look for bare soil patches that may need soil amendments

• Identify overgrown plants that require dividing

• Tag herbs that should be moved indoors

• Note bulbs to dig up and store before the frost hits

This inspection gives you a game plan for fall garden prep and prevents surprises next season.

2. Move Tender Herbs Indoors

Herbs like rosemary, mint, and lavender won’t survive frost. Move potted herbs into a protected spot like a sunny porch or south-facing windowsill to extend your harvest. Bonus: you’ll have fresh herbs handy all winter long.

3. Add Soil Amendments Before Winter

Fall is the ideal time to boost your soil. Add organic fertilizers like:

• Compost

• Manure

• Mulch

Use a garden fork to turn these into the soil. This ensures nutrients are absorbed throughout the winter, improving soil structure and microbial activity. This step reduces spring workload and results in better blooms and harvests.

For larger areas like a kitchen garden:

• Till the soil to remove roots and weeds

• Add amendments generously

• Till again to incorporate nutrients deeply

Tilling in fall is easier and more effective than waiting for soggy spring conditions.

4. Apply Weed Control

Weeds don’t rest. Apply a fall weed killer to your lawn to stop seeds dropped during summer from sprouting in spring.

Pet tip: If you use chemical weed killers, keep pets inside for a few hours until the product settles into the soil.

5. Collect Seeds for Next Season

If you’re growing heirloom varieties, now is the time to save seeds:

• Allow a few flowers or fruits to fully mature or dry on the plant

• Harvest and soak fruit in water to remove pulp

• Dry and label seeds before storing in a cool, dry place

This preserves your favorite plants and saves money on seeds next year.

6. Empty Rain Barrels

Avoid cracked barrels! Drain and clean out your rainwater storage system before the first frost. Detach pipes and tubes, and let it fully dry to prevent winter damage.

7. Clear Mulch Away from Stems

Too much mulch near stems and trunks can lead to mold and mildew during cool, damp fall conditions. Gently clear mulch away from:

• Shrubs

• Perennials

• Tree bases

This reduces moisture traps and promotes healthier plants.

8. Examine and Prune Perennials

Check all perennials for signs of disease:

• Look for black spots, wilting, or rot

• Prune affected areas or remove the plant entirely to prevent spread

Don’t compost diseased plants—dispose of them in the trash to protect your garden.

9. Check Trees for Dangerous Branches

Fall is a great time to inspect tree limbs:

• Look for cracks, rot, or hollow areas

• Schedule safe removal of unstable branches

This protects your home, pets, and people from falling limbs during storms or snow.

Get a Head Start on Spring

A well-prepared fall garden sets the stage for a low-maintenance, high-yield spring. By completing these fall garden tasks now, you’re making sure your soil is nourished, your tools are ready, and your plants are protected.

Explore tools and cedar garden kits to simplify your fall prep: Shop Now

Want more backyard gardening tips? Browse our blog for seasonal advice, or contact us directly for help creating your ideal outdoor space with Outdoor Living Today.