Fall in the garden: Tasks for a thriving spring

In many corners of the world, fall is seen as nature's time to hibernate, a period when the vibrant life of gardens seems to slow down and prepare for the colder months ahead. It might appear that this is a time for gardeners to take a break, to sit back and await the next growing season. Wrong! In reality, fall is filled with a plethora of tasks that are crucial for ensuring the health and beauty of our gardens come spring. From preparing the soil and plants for the winter to planning next year's blooms, the work we do in the fall sets the foundation for future success. So, roll up your sleeves – there's plenty to do before the first frost!

Fall harvest and preservation

Although most of the harvest has already been gathered, there is still much left unharvested. Late crops such as pumpkins, zucchini and hardy greens are waiting for the right time to be harvested. Root crops such as carrots, beets and turnips can also be left in the ground a little longer, as the cooler soil improves their flavor. These late-maturing plants are indicative of the garden's long productivity, offering one last harvest before winter sets in.

But harvesting the crop is only half the battle. Preserving it is key to enjoying the fruits of your labor throughout the dormant season. Canning, freezing and drying are all ways to extend the life of your produce. Imagine opening a jar of homemade tomato sauce or enjoying dried herbs from your garden in the depths of winter - it's a reward for your foresight and hard work. 

It's also the perfect season for making cozy dishes and pies that create warm, cozy evenings with your family. Canning is not only about preserving food, but also about keeping you feeling at home and warm during the colder months.

Fertilizing shrubs and trees in autumn

After a season of growth and fruiting, large plants, including shrubs and trees, as well as the soil beneath them are depleted of nutrients. Therefore, it is important to replenish nutrients in time to prepare for the following year. In the fall, it's important to avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen, which stimulate leaf and shoot growth that can harm plants before winter. Instead, you should focus on fertilizers that contain potassium and phosphorus.

For this purpose, you should pay attention to mineral complexes marked “fall”, which are specially designed for this time of year. Excellent options such as ash, superphosphate, potassium sulfate or potassium chloride. These fertilizers will help your plants stay healthy throughout the dormant period and be ready for vigorous growth in the spring. By taking the time to nourish your soil and plants now, you are laying the foundation for a lush and vibrant garden in the next growing season.

Pest control in the garden

The fall following the harvest is the perfect time to treat the garden for pests. You can use stronger chemicals without fear of contaminating or poisoning your produce. This proactive step will get rid of pests hungry for your garden's harvest. By addressing pest problems in the fall, you will ensure a healthier and more vigorous start to the next growing season. This approach will help ensure a bountiful harvest next year, saving you from the unnecessary stress of pest control.

Before the leaves have fallen off the trees and shrubs and the pests have gone into the soil to overwinter, you should treat the garden with insecticides. Postponing treatment until colder times may be too late, as pests will have already had time to burrow deep into the ground to seek shelter. In addition, once the leaves have fallen, other treatments will be required for effective pest control.

Sanitation and shaping of trees and shrubs

Pruning is not just about making your garden aesthetically pleasing; it is a critical step in maintaining plant health and vitality. As fall approaches, take the time to carefully inspect your shrubs, trees, and berry beds. Look for any signs of disease, damage or dead growth. These damaged parts of the plant can harbor pests and diseases for the winter, posing a threat to the overall health of the plant and the garden as a whole.

Removing these unhealthy areas is called sanitary pruning and is an important first step in preparing the garden for the colder months. Once this task is completed, you have the opportunity to begin shaping pruning, which molds the growth of the plants to ensure their beauty and productivity. Alternatively, you can postpone formative pruning until late winter or early spring.

Working with soil

As the growing season comes to an end, it's important to pay attention to the soil that has nourished our plants all summer long. If you've noticed fungal or harmful bacteria developing in your garden beds, post-harvest is the perfect time to combat these problems. By treating your soil with biologics, you can effectively combat diseases such as rot, fusarium and leaf spot, providing a healthy foundation for next year's plants.

In addition to taking care of soil health, getting ready for the next planting season is also important. It is therefore wise to prepare the soil for seedlings now. Gather soil from the beds, clean the soil of weeds and sterilize it to eliminate possible disease threats and fertilize if needed. Store the prepared soil in a dry place with other necessary ingredients such as sand, peat and ash ready for use in early spring.

Preparing unheated greenhouses for winter

With the onset of winter, it is important not to put off preparing unheated greenhouses for the colder months. Late September and early October is the last period to care for greenhouse vegetables. Once the plants have been removed, there are a few important steps to take to ensure that the greenhouse is ready for winter and a fruitful spring.

First, the soil in the greenhouse should be treated to kill any pests and diseases that plan to overwinter. This is also a good time to sterilize the space, including the walls of the greenhouse, to kill any pathogens that may pose a threat to next year's crop. Ventilation is also important, as ventilating the greenhouse helps to reduce humidity levels that can become a breeding ground for disease.

Sowing green manures

Early fall is the perfect time to sow fall green manures. Not only will these plants germinate before the cold weather arrives, but they will have grown enough to protect the soil from weeds, loosen the soil and serve as an alternative to complex fertilizers. 

Mustard, oilseed radish, peas, etc. - are some of the best, due to their frost resistance. As winter sets in, you have the option of incorporating them into the soil or leaving them until spring. These green manures play a vital role in promoting soil health, offering a natural and effective way to enrich and protect your garden beds.

Planting bulbs for a blooming spring

September is an excellent month for planting bulbs that will bloom in spring and early summer. It is very important to prepare beds for them in advance, choose a sunny place with loose, nutrient-rich soil. 

When planting, bury the bulbs to a depth three times their height so that they have enough room to root. Keep in mind that bulbs spread over time, so it is important to leave enough space between them to allow them to grow. Careful planning and planting will result in brightly colored blooms in your garden come spring, heralding the start of a new season with their beautiful blooms.

Winter care for container plants

Now is the time to pay attention to the needs of all the container plants you have on your property. As the cold weather arrives, these plants will need special attention to ensure their survival and health. Some of them may need to be brought indoors so that they continue to thrive, while others may need a dormant period in a cool, dark place. Then there are those that should be transplanted into the ground and securely covered for protection. 

It is very important not to leave these container plants outside until late September, as unexpected overnight frosts can prove fatal. The root system in small pots is particularly vulnerable to low temperatures and can be severely damaged without proper care. By taking the time to identify and provide proper winter care for your container plants, you can protect them from the cold and enjoy their beauty for many seasons to come.

Shaping the hedge for the coming season

For those who have deciduous hedges on their property, fall is the perfect time to trim them. This involves removing all dead and diseased branches, as well as branches growing in undesirable directions, and then pruning the hedge to achieve smooth and even sides. 

If you are shaping a hedge for the first time or are aiming for precision, use a plumb line or a piece of chain-link fencing as a guide to ensure the hedge is trimmed evenly. Not only will this help to maintain the aesthetic appeal of the hedge, but it will also promote healthy growth and dense hedges. Properly timed and executed fall pruning sets the stage for lush and vibrant growth in the spring, making your hedge look its best year round.

As the cooler months arrive, it is clear that a gardener's work is far from done. The fall season is a crucial time to prepare the garden for the coming winter and set the stage for a successful spring. Every task, from harvesting the last of your crops and preserving them through the colder months to pest control and sanitary pruning, plays an important role in the health and productivity of your garden. 

All in all, the effort you put into your garden this fall is an investment in the future. By performing these tasks with care and attention, you will not only protect your garden for the winter, but also lay the foundation for a thriving and abundant garden next year.