As the crisp autumn air settles in, it might seem counterintuitive to think about spring. However, fall is the ideal time to lay the groundwork for a vibrant, healthy lawn and garden next season. By taking the right steps now, you'll set your outdoor spaces up for success when the warmer weather returns.

Start with a Good Fall Cleaning

For many Midwesterners, fall marks the end of the gardening season. Cooler temperatures begin to fade annual blooms, and vegetable beds are prepped for winter. While it's tempting to dive into fall cleanup with the same enthusiasm as spring, it's essential to be strategic and mindful.

Leaves

To rake the leaves or not... Fallen leaves can be both a burden and a blessing. If left alone, they can kill out portions of a lawn and harbor pests and diseases, but when managed correctly, they can help enrich your garden soil. Consider these practices:

• Compost: Add thin layers of leaves to your compost pile to create rich, organic matter for next season. Alternate layers with soil or other composted organic matter. Add a small amount of organic fertilizer to each layer to feed the microbes that will slowly break down the leaves into compost.
• Garden Cleanup: Remove leaves from vegetable gardens, annual beds, and containers to prevent disease and pest problems. Remove tomato vines and other vine crops and burn or dispose of them to prevent fungal spores from overwintering in the garden soil. Turn under remaining leaves and garden foliage with a shovel or garden tiller.
• Lawn Care: Rake and remove leaves from your lawn, or mulch them down Ito small pieces to return organic matter to the soil.

Perennials

Don't rush to cut back perennials. The leaves, stems, and dried flowers not only add winter interest, but also offer food and shelter to native pollinators and beneficial insects. Only remove plant debris if you experienced disease or pest issues during the summer. Marginally hardy perennials will be more likely to survive as the dried tops of the plant collect small leaves, which help protects the underground roots from extreme cold in the winter.

Trees & Shrubs

Resist the urge to prune trees and shrubs in the fall. While it's fine to trim away dead or damaged branches, save major pruning tasks for late winter or early spring when plants are dormant. Also, remember to not prune spring blooming shrubs until right after they're done blooming each year.

Plant Now for Early Spring Color

One of the best parts of spring is the very first burst of color from early bloomers like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and allium. Fall is the perfect time to plant these bulbs, but you'll want to follow these steps for the best results:

• Dress for the Weather: Plant bulbs when temperatures consistently range between 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Planting in warm soil can cause bulbs to sprout prematurely, leaving them vulnerable to winter cold.
• Proper Depth & Placement: Firmly place each bulb into the soil with the flat side down and the tip facing up. Bulbs should be planted approximately 5-6 times the width of the bulb deep as a general guideline, but follow the instructions on the package for each variety. Planting too deep or too shallow will lead to poor results.
• Feed Your Bulbs: Add bone meal (or bulb food if you have a lot of unwanted animals digging in your yard) to the planting hole to provide key nutrients to help bulbs develop strong roots through the winter.
• Cover with Mulch: Ensure Your bulbs are fully covered with firmly pack soil. For added protection, apply a couple of inches of mulch on top to delay ground freeze, allowing the bulbs more time to root before winter.

Weeding & Feeding for a Lush Spring Lawn

The hot, dry summers in the Midwest can take a toll on lawns. Fall's cooler temperatures and increased rainfall offer a chance for your grass to recover. Here's how to help your lawn thrive:

• Weed Control: Late-season Super Brush & Weed Killer herbicide applications are particularly effective because weeds are at their most vulnerable. This makes fall the ideal time to eliminate unwanted weeds. If weeds aren't killed immediately by a herbicide, they are so weakened that winter will typically finish them off.
• Lawn Fertilization: Apply Earl May Fall Lawn Food to nourish your lawn through the winter. This specially formulated fertilizer is designed for Midwest lawns, providing the extra nutrients needed to winterize your lawn ensuring a lush, green lawn in the spring. As a rule of thumb, apply Earl May Fall Lawn Food about the time of your last mowing for it to be effective. The goal is to promote energy storage in the roots and stems below ground level, not to promote top growth.

Think Spring this Fall

By taking these proactive steps during your fall cleanup, you'll set your lawn and garden up for a successful and bountiful spring. For more tips on each topic, explore our other blogs.