Fall is a great time to over-seed the lawn.
Fertilize the lawn in the fall when it’s still green (Labor Day is a great estimate).
Use a fertilizer with a big 1st number and small 2nd and 3rd number (Ex. 25-5-5).
Continue to mow.
Rake leaves off the lawn and pop in the compost bin.

Leave root veggies, garlic, leeks, etc. in the ground for harvesting later.
Pull up old vines and plants.
This reduces the chances for pest and disease to overwinter and become a problem again next year.
If healthy, you can incorporate this material into the planting bed for added nutrition.
Add a layer of compost and leaves to the garden.

Pull up spent annuals and pop the debris in the compost bin if it doesn’t have any disease troubles. That’ll be gold later!
Dig up and store any bulbs or tropicals that you plan on overwintering (dahlias, bananas, cannas, elephant ears, etc.).
Be sure to spray down any plants that you plan to bring into the house with a garden hose to reduce the chances of insect issues later.

Fall is a great time to divide spring and summer blooming plants that need it.
Look for the distinct “doughnut” hole in plants indicating the need to divide.
Cut down perennials to less than 2”, leaving those that provide winter interest or a food source for birds (grasses, coneflowers, sedum, etc.).
Mulch plants after the ground freezes with Schönheit Gardens’ double-shredded leaf mulch or our double-shredded bark mulch. This keeps the roots frozen and protects from the damage caused by frost heaving (alternate freezing and thawing).
Continue to water until the ground freezes.
Plant bulbs before the ground freezes! Schönheit Gardens sells these in the fall.

Stop fertilizing.
Continue to water until the ground freezes – especially evergreens!
Wrap the bark of thin barked trees with Tree Wrap to prevent bark splitting & scalding.
Protect trunks/stems of browsed plants from rabbit damage with chicken wire wrap stapled into the ground (remember, the ground level rises as snow falls, so protect higher than you think you need to).
ROSES: Let them be. Mulch once the ground is frozen, but don’t prune. Wait until spring to prune.

Weed all your beds. This is a great time to knock down those problems and make gardening easier next year.
Perennial weeds (dandelions, bindweed, and thistle) are best sprayed at this time. Read directions and use with care.
Drain hoses and shut off water to the outside spigots.
Empty all pottery containers and store them upside down or put in a garage/shed.
Settle in with a nice cup of tea and enjoy time with friends and family.
And, of course, day dream and plan for next spring!

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preparing your garden for winter