Helpful Autumn Garden Chores

By Vicki Spencer

October is when Coloradans make their annual pilgrimage to the mountains to view the changing of the aspen leaves. For gardeners, October is also the time of the year when we need to prepare for winter. If we take the time now, our gardens will be off to a much better start next spring. Here are some things you can do to get ready for winter.

Automatic sprinklers on the grassIf you have a lawn with a sprinkling system, the system needs to be drained and winterized by the middle of the month when we typically have our first frost. If you need to hire someone to get it done, schedule it as early as possible because the winterization companies get busy this time of the year.

Although garden cleanup does not sound like a glamorous job, it’s a good excuse to be outside enjoying the crisp fall air. The checklist on the right will make the job easier, and you will feel like you are making progress as you check off each item.

Cleaning the garden is important because insects and disease-causing microorganisms survive in garden debris. If you compost, you want to be sure that you do not compost any disease or insect-infested plant material.

Beckon the birds
After finishing these chores, you might still find time for the birds. That is, you can think of ways to provide water for them over our typically dry winter. If you don’t want to purchase a birdbath, you can place a simple shallow dish in a location safe from predators. Open spaces in the yard are perfect because the birds can spot the predators approaching and fly away before they are caught. Clean the bowl weekly with soapy water and provide fresh water throughout the winter. If the water freezes, replace it or purchase an inexpensive heating device at your garden center.

Black oil sunflower seeds are favored by many birds. Flickers, woodpeckers and chickadees like suet. The fun thing about feeding birds is that you can watch them all winter long when your flowers are dormant. Don’t be disappointed if the birds don’t come right away; there is still a lot of natural food available in the fall. They will arrive when food becomes scarce.

If you follow these simple guidelines for fall garden cleanup, you will be surprised how much easier it will be to get your garden in shape next spring.

Hands with garden shearsFALL GARDEN CHECKLIST
__ Remove any diseased foliage from plants
__ Remove dead annuals
__ Cut back perennials that died down and divide herbaceous perennials
__ Clip heads of cosmos and zinnias, dry on screens, then store in a cool, dry place in lightly sealed containers
__ Collect seeds to sow next year (four-o’clocks and morning glories save well)
__ Pull weeds now or spot spray to avoid seeds spreading in the spring
__ Enrich soil by adding organic materials and turning soil to mix it in well
__ Mow lawn and trim edges
__ Rake leaves in grass and clean leaves out of garden
__ Shred leaves and add around perennials to decompose over the winter
__ Water lawn, trees and shrubs if they are dry and continue about every three to four weeks throughout the winter
__ Protect trunks of young fruit trees and prevent winter sun scald damage by covering trunks with tree wrap
__ Bring in houseplants, such as geraniums, that have been outside