Fall doesn’t mean the gardening season is over. In fact, for homeowners in Minnetonka, Wayzata, Medina, Deephaven, Shorewood and throughout the west metro, fall is one of the most important seasons because the warm soil and cool air are ideal conditions for establishing roots.
From fall garden cleanup to tulip, daffodil, and hyacinth bulb installs, the work done now can pay off when the snow finally disappears. To keep it organized, below is a checklist that includes: watching the forecast and preparing for the first frost, cleaning up annual flower beds, protecting trees, cleaning up leaves, and adding mulch as needed in preparing for spring. In the meantime, giving planters a fall refresh will keep the patios and entrances looking gorgeous while anticipating winter.
Minnesota weather can change quickly in the fall. A warm September can suddenly turn into a chilly October night, so pay attention to the forecast as the first frost approaches.
Before freezing temperatures arrive, walk through your garden and identify any plants that need additional protection.
Tender annuals, tropical plants, container plants, and other frost-sensitive plants may need to be moved indoors or protected when temperatures are expected to dip below freezing.
Once summer annuals have finished blooming they need to be pulled out and perennials cut back.
Removing diseased perennial plant material can help reduce potential problems next year. However, don’t feel like every plant in your garden needs to be cut down to the ground.
Many perennials can provide winter interest, habitat for beneficial insects, and food for birds. Some plants are actually better left standing through the winter and cut back in spring.
A thoughtful fall garden cleanup is about more than simply cutting everything down. The goal is to prepare the landscape for winter while protecting the plants and wildlife that benefit from leaving some plant material in place.
Fall is also an important time to prepare trees and shrubs for a Minnesota winter.
Give newly planted trees and shrubs particular attention. Continue watering as needed until the ground begins to freeze, especially during dry periods.
Evergreens can also benefit from adequate moisture going into winter.
Young trees and vulnerable shrubs may need additional protection from rabbits, deer, winter winds, heavy snow, and ice. Inspect your landscape now rather than waiting until winter damage has already occurred.
Lake Minnetonka-area homeowners know that fall leaves accumulate quickly.
Rather than simply allowing a thick layer of leaves to remain on the lawn, consider mulching them with the mower or removing excess leaves from turf areas.
Leaves can be beneficial when used properly in garden beds and compost. However, a heavy layer of leaves left on turf can create problems going into winter.
A good fall landscape cleanup keeps lawns, planting beds, walkways, and patios looking tidy while helping prepare the property for spring.
Mulch is an important part of preparing Minnesota gardens for winter.
A layer of mulch can help insulate plant roots and protect perennial plants from repeated freezing and thawing. However, timing matters.
For many perennials and spring bulbs, protective mulch is best applied after the soil begins to freeze rather than while the ground is still warm.
Avoid piling mulch directly against tree trunks or shrub stems. Proper placement and depth are important for healthy plants.
One of the most rewarding fall gardening projects is planting spring-flowering bulbs. Spring bulbs need time in the cold soil to develop properly.
For a Minnetonka landscape filled with color next spring, fall is the time to plant bulbs such as:
For homeowners in the twin cities, the exact planting window can vary depending on weather and soil conditions, but a good general rule of thumb is plant when evening lows are consistently in the 40’s 50’s and most importantly get the bulbs planted before the ground freezes solid.
Fall is also a great time to look at your landscape with fresh eyes. As annual flowers disappear and perennial gardens begin to go dormant, you can see where your landscape may need more color in the spring.
Consider planting groups of bulbs rather than scattering individual bulbs throughout the garden; clusters of tulips, daffodils, and allium create a much bigger impact when they emerge in spring. Another option to consider is layering different bulbs to create a succession of blooms, helping your garden transition from early to late spring.
Garden beds aren’t the only part of the Minnetonka area landscape that can benefit from fall maintenance; well-designed fall planters and entryways can make a landscape pop! through Minnesota fall weather fluctuations.
Mums, Ornamental kales, cabbages, grasses and foliage can make a big impact on the entrances to your home, however they need to be maintained by watering (more than you think), dead heading and adding fall decor to any empty pockets keeping them festive.
In Minnesota, fall is a very short, important, season and can switch to winter almost overnight, a checklist can help prepare and avoid surprises.
At Botanical Blitz we are a full-service garden maintenance company; specializing in all of the above in addition to creating high-impact seasonal planters and gardens for the Lake Minnetonka and west metro area. Contact us today for all your flower garden installation and maintenance needs.