Peter Burnett//Getty Images1Clean Out the Veggie Patch
In the flower garden, however, “some plants should be left intact over the winter to protect the crown and buds from cold and to prevent excessive winter dieback,” says Stacey Hirvela, horticulturalist with Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, Michigan.
It’s fine to remove dead annuals and cut back perennials whose foliage is susceptible to disease. But plants such as Russian sage, hydrangeas, butterfly bush, or any woody shrub that requires pruners to remove stems should be left alone until spring.
Keep Reading: 11 Perennials to Cut Back in the Fall (and the Ones You Shouldn’t Touch)
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3Do a Soil Test
If your garden didn’t perform well this year, now is a good time to take a soil sample. You can find cheap kits in nurseries or send off a sample to your local cooperative extension service, which typically provides free or inexpensive testing.
Results will indicate exactly what your soil lacks as well as what you need to add in what quantities. “At the very least, you’ll be aware of what you’ll need to do next spring,” says McCrate.
Understand the Results: What Fertilizer Numbers Mean and How to Read Them
4Add Compost to Your Vegetable Garden
Even if you don’t do a soil test, add a 2-inch layer of compost right on top of the garden. after cleaning up. “It covers the bed with nutrients that leach down into the soil and provides a tidy seedbed for planting next spring,” says McCrate.
“There’s no need to till it in. It’s a low-energy, efficient use of labor.” It’s fine to do this task any time up until the snow flies.
Keep Reading: 20 Things to Know Before You Start Composting
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5Put Down Mulch
Once you’ve composted, put down 2- to 3-inches of organic mulch such as shredded bark, pine straw, or chopped leaves on your beds.
“Mulch protects the organic matter in the soil, which can be eroded by winter winds,” says Hirvela.
“It also insulates roots and helps prevent plants from heaving out of the ground due to temperature fluctuations.” Over time, mulch also breaks down and improves your soil
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6Plant Bulbs
If you bought bulbs but haven’t gotten around to planting them yet, it’s not too late to get them in the ground. If fact, for daffodils, waiting to plant bulbs until after a killing frost is ideal.
“You can plant bulbs all the way into December, as long as the ground isn’t frozen,” says Hirvela. Bonus: Garden centers have bulbs on clearance now, so grab a few good deals and dig some holes.
Need Ideas? 16 Best Flower Bulbs to Plant in the Fall
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7Put Away Your Pots
Becky Luigart-Stayner for Country Living
Winter’s freeze/thaw cycle can crack ceramic and clay pots if left outdoors—especially unglazed terra cotta pots.
Dump the soil, which is spent and not reusable for next year, and store pots in the shed, garage, or basement. Stack rows of pots using 2x4s as dividers if you’re short on storage space.
Keep Reading: Winter Can Wreck Your Terra-Cotta Pots. Here’s How to Protect Them
8Clean Your Tools
Keep your tools in good working condition by giving them a little TLC before they go away for the winter. Use a wire brush to knock off soil, then apply a light coat of oil. WD40 or mineral oil work well, but even a kitchen oil such as canola can prevent rusting, suggests Hirvela.
You can also sand wooden tool handles to remove splinters. Spray a coat of a disinfectant such as Lysol on the cutting surfaces of pruners or clippers to preclude spreading diseases from one plant to another next year.
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9Turn Off Water to Outside Spigots
Outdoor faucets can freeze if you don’t shut off the water supply to them, leading to leaks when you use them next spring. Look for the water shutoff valve, located inside your basement or crawlspace near the spigot. Then open the faucet until any remaining water drips out.
You can also purchase frost-free valves now that will stop the water supply deeper into the house, to help prevent frozen water from breaking spigots.
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10Keep a Garden Journal
The best way to track what worked and what didn’t from year to year is to keep a garden journal—and now is the time to update (or start) yours.
It’s a practice that has a lot of history. Thomas Jefferson kept intricate notes of his gardens at Monticello.
Jot down your successes and failures of the season now, while you still recall the details, and save plant tags when possible.
“It’s helpful for remembering what varieties you liked or didn’t like when you’re planning next year’s garden and ordering seeds,” says McCrate.
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