What to maintain in the garden at fall?

Nowadays we have a new style of life that turns many people to be gardeners. And it’s great! This hobby brings so many bonuses, as learning about Nature, eco-friendly grown food, and peaceful, calming mund passion.

Working over 20 years with gardens and dealing with the garden owners I start to notice that there are changes from the landscape pleasant for the view shifted to the useful properties with veggie gardens.

We installed many vegetable gardens this year.

It could be very simple climbing beans, the planter with herbal greens, or more advanced pumpkin-zucchini, that grow easily here.

And for sure, many “tomato experiments ” went this year.

First of all, In fall it’s good to till the grounds. I consider the floral and vegetable beds are alive substances. It has living creatures as worms and bags, roots constantly grow or die. Even morning dew looks like teardrops. Let’s help to breathe the earth Rotate the soil in the fall, before winter. It gives extra oxygen, cut weed roots, eliminate diseases. 

The second very important winterizing garden task is watering all plants, shrubs, and especially evergreens before frost need to be watered.

Many Junipers, spruces, and cedars are sensitive to cold wind. Prevent that damage is easy- just water well the grounds.

Mulching.

 In Alberta region, with often Chinook winds most damage done not with cold temperatures but then the soil defreeze and plants start to response to warm.  Mulch saves the plants not only from cold, it gives room to habitat the insects.

Mulching is not only decorative element in garden. Mulch works well for saving the roots during winter.

How to winterize the garden?

In September- October, then perennials lost decorative effect we can cut the leaves 3-6 inches above the ground. Most over-sized plants like peonies, delphiniums, day-lilies, hosta, daisies or Bleeding heart will start next spring earlier and stronger if we cut them

Now is good time to plant tulips, daffodils, allium or other bulbs into ground.

Me personally,I want to dig out some tulips and save them for spring forcing blooms.

And last recommendation for fall maintenance. Now is best time for shrubs trim. Especially decorative blooming Lilac, Mockorange, Roses, Nanking Cherries, Barberry, Currants and Potentilla.