How to Clear Your Garden for Fall

Fall is the ideal time to clean out your gardening beds and prepare them for the cold months ahead. To do so, use these tips on How to Clear Your Garden for Fall. This is a great way to ensure that the soil is ready for planting in the spring.

It seems like just yesterday we were prepping our yards for summer, getting the soil ready and hauling our seedlings and gardening tools. Well the days of summer are over, and fall is fully upon us. That means now is the time to prepare your garden for a winter’s nap, so when spring comes again it will be ready for planting. Take a look below at some helpful tips on How to Clear Your Garden for Fall so you can be sure to prep your space properly!

How to Clear Your Garden for Fall

1. Pull all of the expired plants. While you will be sad to see them go, now is the time to pull out all of your expired plantings. Pull the vegetable plants, any annuals, and any other dead plants. Pull firmly so you remove the roots. If the roots become detached, take a hand shovel and dig them out all of the way. You don’t want to leave any traces of it. You can go ahead and toss them into compost if you wish or add them to your yard waste.

2. Turn the soil. You don’t need to fully till the soil again, but now that the plants are removed it is not a bad idea to turn the soil with a shovel and let it breathe. This also helps you find any roots or additional plants you may have missed when you removed the first batch. If you see any seeds that have fallen from plants, they can be saved and stored for next year. Just store them in a cool and dry place until next year’s planting season begins.

3. Store all yard stakes and cages. Don’t leave your yard stakes and cages out in the garden. Instead, clean them off well and store them in a garage or shed. This way they will stay in good shape and avoid winter wear. Plus, they won’t pose any dangers by staying in the yard where they could rust or fall apart.

4. Add a layer of compost or mulch. You can hold back any last minute weeds that might want to sneak up by placing a thick layer or mulch or compost down. This will also help feed the soil further so it is nutrient rich in the spring. Add a two inch or more layer to the now cleared area to help with further growth and to add nutrition.

5. Add a protective barrier. You don’t want your garden plot to turn into a winter haven for animals. Avoid stacking wood in your garden or leaving garden cages of any kind out there. Be sure all traces of food scraps are removed, and consider placing a protective barrier around the plot such as simple netting or fencing.

See how simple it can be to clear your garden for fall? Keep these tips in mind as you prepare your home and garden for winter. They are sure to come in handy, and you will be so glad you followed these tips in the spring.