Useful tips for fall garden cleanup

At the end of August or the beginning of September, as plants are fading, I go into garden clean-up mode. I’m both happy and sad at the same time. I am happy about all the joy the garden has brought and sad as each of the plants fade away. During this time, my natural tendency is to jump in and start working. However, this year that approach was not working. Therefore, I took a step back and did some planning. So, let me share some useful tips I learned for fall garden cleanup.

While this article is not meant to be a comprehensive ‘how to’ on garden cleanup, at the end of this post, there are some great links to provide further information on the topic of garden cleanup.

01 Fall cleanup for the vegetable garden

I found it useful to focus on two primary items in the vegetable garden. First, an update to the crop rotation plan. I am a firm believer in crop rotation and generally have a three-year plan at the ready. However, things happen and the plan usually needs to be updated on a yearly basis. Second, I was beginning to feel overwhelmed with the amount of work. I needed a list to understand and appreciate the scope of work to be done. After spending many years in the corporate environment, I learned that a list expedites the work. Why not put it to use in the garden?

Crop Rotation Plan

The crop rotation plan guides where (into which beds or containers) to plant your crops. My immediate need was to identify where to plant my fall crops of garlic and onions. Therefore, I pulled up my crop rotation plan. In the plan, I was able to identify the beds for the garlic and onions. This allowed me to prioritize which beds to clean first.

As I was reviewing the plan, I also noticed some updates were necessary. Things happen during the gardening season which can lead to a need to update the plan. Now is a great time to make updates so you are set up for success and have less work next season.

To learn more about the principles of crop rotation, check out my crop rotation for home gardeners blog post.

The Garden Clean-up Checklist

Cleaning up the garden can be overwhelming. However, if you take some time to make a list, it can relieve some stress. Also, there is something gratifying about crossing items off the list. Further, you can add items as you begin the cleanup process. A list has two benefits. First, you are able to define the scope of the cleanup and ensure you don’t miss something important. Second, it allows you to delegate tasks if someone offers to help.

Here are some of the items on my list:

• Save Seeds from plants in your garden
• Clean up garden Beds – remove the remnants of vegetables and weeds from each bed/container.
• Identify irrigation equipment to clean and store.
• Garden ornaments – This can include trellis, decorations, water measuring devices, and garden furniture (to name a few). Whatever you have, identify those items. Then make a plan to clean and store them away.
• Seed Starting Supplies – clean and sterilize the containers you use for seed starting. While I try to do this right after I plant the seedlings, that doesn’t always happen. I will usually find some containers that need cleaning.
• Containers in the garden – I usually have a few containers where I plant vegetables and flowers. Clean and sterilize these containers so they are ready for next season.
• Clean garden tools – it’s really amazing how much longer a tool will last when it is properly cared for.

A good ratio for steralizing with bleach is 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.

02 Fall cleanup for annual flowers

Annual flowers are plants that only live for the current season. They will grow, peak, and then begin to fade and die out as the season progresses. The choice is to either leave your annual plants and flowers or pull them up and discard them. I follow a dual approach. In terms of planning, I include the cleanup of annual flowers on my overall garden cleanup list.

• Annual flowers in containers – I usually pull up and discard the annual flowers in containers. I do this to save time in the spring. For contains less than 12 inches in diameter, I also discard the soil. Next, I clean and sterilize the containers. However, I do pick a few containers and replant them with garden mums for the fall season. These I then defer to spring for cleanup.
• Annual flowers in garden beds – while tempting to pull these all out as they fade, I do leave a few in the ground. Why? Well, some flowers will readily re-seed. Cosmos, periwinkle, and calendula are a few examples. I have even been surprised by a sunflower reseeding itself. On the other hand, if you don’t want annual flowers to reseed, then be sure to pull them up and discard them.

03 Fall cleanup for perennial flowers

Perennial flowers grow back each season. Therefore, you generally leave them where they are. However, there are a few considerations.

• Deadheading and cutting back – Deadheading is the process of cutting off the seed heads after the flowers have faded. Cutting back includes removing both the seed heads, stalks, and branches of perennials. However, there is a benefit to pollinators and wildlife to leave some of the seed heads/stalks in place. The seed heads and debris from perennial flowers provide food and shelter for insects, birds, and other wildlife during the colder months. I follow a twofold approach. In some beds, I don’t do any deadheading or cutting back. These are beds where I want seeds to disburse and new plants to fill in. In other beds that are mature and filled in, I cut back about 75% of the plants and leave the others in place for the pollinators and wildlife.
• Dividing and/or moving perennial plants – Dividing plants is the process of digging up a plant and dividing its roots to make multiple plants also called propagation. You do this to rejuvenate a plant or to prevent overcrowding. Some plants can be divided in the fall others should be done in spring. Here is a link to a spreadsheet of 125 perennials and when to divide.

Perennials take planning. Walk around your garden and observe the health and crowding of perennial plants. If a plant needs to be divided or dug up, do some research to determine if fall is a good time to divide. Don’t forget to add the dividing task to your garden cleanup list.

Hope this helps as you approach fall garden cleanup. With a little planning and a list, I think you will feel more prepared for the task ahead.

Additional Information

You may find the following blog posts interesting.

• How to save seeds from your garden
• Autumn cleanup in the vegetable garden
• How to take the mystery out of pruning shrubs
• Brilliant method to create new garden beds – lasagna gardening
• Prepping garden beds for the season

References

• University of Minnesota – How and when to divide perennials
• University of Illinois – Cleanup with pollinators and wildlife in mind