How to Do the Essential Jobs for Fall Clean-Up

Fall gardening clean -up is one of the best
ways to get a jump on having your soil ready for the next planting season.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• garden
• gardening tools
• materials for clean-up, such as rakes, hoes, and large plastic bags.

1. One of the most essential jobs come fall when it comes to cleaning up and out your garden is the removal of any and all damaged or diseased materials. When plants have had a fungus or bacteria over the summer growing season they can over winter on the roots and stems that have been contaminated.

2. When removed properly it will reduce the chances of diseases in your next year’s garden. How much of the plant you should remove depends upon your garden type, so naturally anything that was infected with a disease should be completely removed.

3. If you brought your house-plants outside for the summer, now is the time to start bringing them in. Some will more than likely need to be re-potted and or cut-back if the grew well during the summer growing season.

4. Be sure to check them for insects and diseases that may be on them so as not to contaminate any other houseplants. Bring them indoors in plenty of time to re-adjust to their indoor environment.

5. Now is the time also to lift and harvest your young bulbs from plants such as Dahlias, Gladiolus and Begonias, three of my favorites. After lifting them and leaving the foliage around the roots intact, the proper storage of them is equally important.

6. Most bulbs will over-winter well when stored in an airy spot to dry out for 2 to 3 weeks then placed in a cool dark place that will be 45 to 50 degrees using vermiculite or peat moss and be sure to dust them with a fungicide and a insecticide to inhibit any insect or disease growth.

7. When you lift your begonias, be sure not to cut them back where they come from the root, after removing them allow them to dry and become brittle enough to break off.

8. After you have labeled and stored your bulbs be sure to have them where rats, mice or other rodents can get to them. They love bulbs with the exception of daffodils.

9. Begin planting your spring bulbs now also, such as daffodils and tulips and band your new trees and shrubs with Tanglefoot to help deter fall canker-worms although the spring ones are the worse. Take the preliminary steps to safe-guard your roses now too and do the last by late October by cutting them back after the have began to go dormant.

10. Cut the canes back by 6 to 12 inches and then mound them with fresh soil and cover with a basket, raised cones or wrap and tie them in burlap.

11. When your garden is completely cleaned out and litter free, all neat and tidy then its time to till and turn the soil at least once to get it loosened. If your soil is unusually heavy you may want to soften its texture by adding some 4o pounds of gypsum per 1,000 square feet, and then add a really good mixture of compost or peat moss for added benefits.

12. A good garden clean-up now along with good and proper sanitation will surely guarantee you a healthy garden for next spring.

Tips & Warnings

• Spray your indoor plants that were outdoors with a insecticidal soap before bringing them in where your other house plants are.
• Plant your bulbs for spring now
• Completely remove any and all plants that were infected during the summer
• Remember DO NOT cut your roses back until they have begun to go dormant for the winter
• Label and properly store all bulbs you have dug up for winter storage.
• Check you indoor plants that were outdoors for insects and fungi before bringing them back inside.

[nanamusicgirl]

on 10/6/2009 Thank for this article on Fall Preparation!!!
There's a lot to do!!!! 5 stars. Recommended!!!!