Fall Is Here!

As temperatures begin to settle, now is the perfect time to prepare your garden for the coming season. From tidying up the beds to planting cold-hardy crops, your efforts now will set the stage for a thriving garden. We've compiled a handy checklist for a productive fall garden!

Clean Up: 

Clearing out old, diseased plants and fallen fruits is essential for a healthy garden.  By eliminating this debris, you reduce the risk of infection and pests spreading to new crops, creating a cleaner environment for fresh growth.

Additionally, clearing space allows better airflow and sunlight exposure, which are critical for the health of new plants. This proactive step sets the stage for a productive growing season.

Condition Soil:

Begin by pulling out any weeds to prevent competition for nutrients and space. Composting organic materials such as leaves, plant trimmings, and food scraps adds vital nutrients to the soil, improving its structure and fertility.

If time allows, cover the composted bed with a tarp or mulch to speed up decomposition by retaining moisture and warmth. This creates a nutrient-rich environment, ensuring that the soil is ready to support healthy plant growth when it’s time to plant new crops.

Start Seeds: 

Fall is an ideal time to start planting cold-hardy seeds that thrive in cooler temperatures. Vegetables like lettuce, bok choy, radishes, rutabagas, spinach, mustard greens, and sprouting broccoli are excellent choices for fall planting.

These crops can withstand cooler weather, allowing you to extend your growing season into the colder months. Starting these seeds now can lead to a productive fall garden.

Relocate Sprouts:

Some of your spring-planted sprouts may have remained dormant throughout the warmer months and are now beginning to show signs of growth. This is the perfect time to gather these dormant plants and relocate them to more suitable locations within your garden.

By doing so, you give them the best chance to thrive in a space that meets their growing needs, such as areas with better sunlight or soil conditions. Relocating these sprouts can also free up space for new fall plantings, optimizing your garden’s overall productivity.

Preserve and Store Summer Harvest:

Freezing vegetables like tomatoes and peppers is simple—just blanch and store them in the freezer. Canning is another option, using water bath or pressure canning techniques to extend shelf life.

Dehydrating fruits, herbs, and veggies is great for long-term storage, while pickling allows you to preserve cucumbers and peppers in vinegar. Finally, root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots can be stored in a cool, dry place for several months.

Purchase Bulbs: 

Bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, and garlic need exposure to cold temperatures for several weeks to stimulate their flowering process. By purchasing and planting your bulbs now, you ensure they have enough time to settle into the soil and undergo the necessary chilling period.

Stock Up on Fall Season Clearance Deals:

At this time of year, you can find lots of great deals on gardening supplies online and at brick-and-mortar stores; Plantonix is no exception!

Buy 2, Get 1 Free 10lb Coco Bliss now through October. Add code B2G1 at checkout or click below to have discount automatically applied when 3 10lb Coco Bliss bricks are in your cart. 

Click Here to shop now.

Stock Cold Protection Items:

It's crucial to prepare your garden for hard frosts and sudden cold snaps that can damage sensitive plants. One of the best ways to protect your crops is by using our line of Agribon row covers. These covers provide a layer of insulation to shield your plants from harsh temperatures while still allowing air, light, and moisture to pass through.

Click Here to shop our Agribon collection.

Order Bare-Root Fruit Trees:

Ordering bare-root fruit trees in the fall gives them time to establish strong root systems during the dormant winter months. When planted in fall, trees can take advantage of cooler weather and moist soil, allowing their roots to grow before the heat of summer arrives.

With this checklist in hand, you'll be ready to tackle each task with confidence and enjoy a productive and flourishing garden all year round! By taking these steps, you'll set your garden up for success during the fall and winter months.

Fall gardening isn't just about preparation—it's also about taking advantage of the cooler weather to extend your growing season and plan ahead for spring. Happy gardening!