Fall Garden Clean Up: Getting Ready for Winter

Just because garden season is over, doesn't mean your job is done. Taking care of your fall garden and preparing it for the next season is an important step to maintaining a healthy garden.

Fall Clean up

Remove all plant debris from the garden area. This is a good time to fill up the compost bin with plant material, but use caution not to add diseased plants to compost.

Soil Testing

Test your garden soil. Many gardeners omit this step because they think they can tell the condition of their soil without testing it. Although you may have a green thumb and your garden may thrive, testing the soil is the only accurate way to assess the needs of your soil.

Contact your local extension office and request a soil test kit. The Extension Office provides soil-testing services for a minimal fee and typically provides a detailed analysis of your soil. Follow the instructions carefully for gathering and preparing the soil sample. A contaminated sample will result in inaccurate results.

Amending and Tilling the Soil

The soil test summary from the extension office includes detailed instructions for amending your soil, eliminating the need to calculate the amount of fertilizer, manure or lime on your own. These calculations are determined by the structure of your soil and the nutrients currently available. Directions included on products, such as lime, typically refer to the requirements for the average garden and may not be accurate for your soil.

Follow the instructions for amending your soil. Till the amendments into the soil with a garden tiller. Rake the area smooth, preparing it for next year's garden.

Get Rid of Weeds

Clean up the area around the garden. It may be tempting to ignore stray weeds around the garden's edge, but doing so puts you prepared bed at risk. Seeds scattered over the prepared soil quickly sprout filling your garden with weeds.

Take Care of Tools

Check your garden tools for signs of wear. Now is a good time to make any repairs so they will be ready in the spring. Wash away dirt and debris and allow tools to air dry. A thin coat of motor oil on the blade of the hoe or spades and shovels prevents rusting.

Winter Storage
Put all tools away in their proper location. There are few things as frustrating to a gardener as missing tools when spring arrives. This includes sprinkling cans, hoses, sprayers and vegetable cages.

Secure any fertilizer, soil amendments and pesticides in sealed containers. Make sure to mark containers clearly to avoid confusion in the spring.

Place any saved seeds in airtight containers. Again, mark them clearly with the name of the seed and the date harvested. Although you may think you will remember them in the spring, chances are, you won't. Labeling avoid misidentification in the spring.

Once you have cleaned up your fall garden, it's time to reflect on what worked and what didn't. Now is the time to jot down those last minute notes for changes you'd like to make next year. Include a list of plants you wish you had grown. In a few short months, next year's gardening magazines will arrive and you'll be busy placing orders for next year's garden.

SOURCES:

University of Maryland Extension: Fall Garden Clean Up
University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Fall Vegetable Garden Clean Up