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Recycle summer flowers and foliage to the compost pile or work them into the fall soil.summer garden sign image by Richard J Thompson from Fotolia.com
Clean your garden beds from summer "leftovers." Deadhead flowers, foliage, vines and vegetables and pull annuals out of your garden bed. If you leave dead plants, you run the risk of inviting insects to nest and lay eggs, which will hatch in the spring. If you have any flowers that are good to dry, such as peony and hydrangea, take them to your garage or a cool spot and hang them upside down for one to three weeks to dry. Add them to indoor floral arrangements or use them to create a fall wreath. - 2). Examine the plantings you pull for any bugs or infestations. If all is clear, take them straight to the compost pile to recycle into your garden bed and provide a last dose of nourishment to your plantings. Alternatively, in the vegetable garden space you can work the old plants into the garden soil for "on-the-spot" composting. Add manure, peat and leaves to work in even more nutrients.
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Swap summer annuals with autumn perennials like mums.mums the word image by James Lemmon from Fotolia.com
Replace empty spots close to the flowerbed border or in between shrubs to find a good spot to add fall colors. Mums are always a great choice to plant in flowerbeds or in containers. Choose deep reds, yellows and oranges to help your garden greet the fall season. - 4
Make your garden engaging with fall accents.straw doll sitting on hay bale image by David Smith from Fotolia.com
Take down wreaths and accents with a summertime feel and replace them with items for fall. Create a wreath with dried flowers and add artificial maple leaves to greet your visitors when they come to your door. Add bales of hay or straw in the yard to symbolize the change in seasons. Top the bales with a scarecrow and pumpkins early in the season; there's no need to wait until Halloween. - 5). Prepare your garden soil for the cold weather ahead. Conduct a pH test to check the alkaline and acid levels. Make soil amendments now to give the soil time to process the nutrients throughout fall and winter so it's ready and fertile for the spring planting season.
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Plant a vegetable garden to add fresh flavor to fall soups, salads and stews.Basket of Garden Vegetables image by Karin Lau from Fotolia.com
Plant a fall vegetable garden. Use cool season plantings that actually provide their best tastes and flavors when planted at the end of July and August. This includes lettuce, spinach, carrots and broccoli. You can even consider making a cold frame or raised bed to protect your vegetables from any early frost and extend your time to grow garden-fresh vegetables. - 7
Fall is the time to plant bulbs for the upcoming spring.tulips image by Tomasz Plawski from Fotolia.com
Pick out spots to start prepping your soil for bulbs. Tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and crocus should be planted in early fall to allow them time to develop root systems before the frost hits the soil. - 8). Apply mulch to the soil around beds to give plants an "ode-to-summer" layering of protection. They will thank you, come spring, by displaying healthy and hearty blooms and foliage.
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