Autumn Garden Chores

by Tami Reece    UCCE Master Gardener

Now that my plants have passed their peak, what should I do to prepare for winter?  Karen P. San Luis Obispo

Autumn is the perfect time to clean up your garden from the past season and plan for the next planting cycle. Begin by taking a walk through the garden with paper and pen in hand. Make note of what worked last year and what did not. Are there new plants or planting combinations you want to try? Did you have too many vegetable beds in the spring or did you want more flower beds for color? Take notes on any areas needing an irrigation adjustment. Or, are there plants that would perform better in a different location?

Relocating plants is best done in the cooler fall temperatures as most will be going dormant.  Clean up debris to avoid harboring insects and diseases during the winter months and mulch to protect plant roots from frost and freezes. Consider planting a cover crop to add nitrogen to the soil and to help keep weeds down. Bare root plants such as roses or trees will be arriving at the nurseries. Be selective and be sure the plant fits the intended location. Remembering right plant, right place will save you time and money in the long run. It is easy to plant a tree too close to a house, power lines, or fences when it's small and takes up little space. Always allow room for the full-size plant of tomorrow, not just the 1 gallon size of today.

For more information on how to prepare your garden for the coming months, the UCCE Master Gardeners is holding a Rejuvenate Your Landscape workshop on Saturday September 15, 10:00 am to 12:00 p.m. in the Garden of the Seven Sisters, 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo. Make sure to bring a hat and water as sometimes mother nature can surprise us with one last blast of summer! Visit our website to register http://ucanr.edu/sites/mgslo/ . Garden docents will be available from noon to 1:00 p.m. to answer gardening questions.