#fallgardencare

As winter approaches, gardens across the Bruce Peninsula start their seasonal rest. Preparing your garden properly during late fall ensures that your plants, soil, and landscape remain healthy and ready for spring growth. With the right steps, you can protect your outdoor space from harsh weather and save time when the snow melts.

📍 Clean Up and Clear Out

Before the first frost arrives, give your garden beds a good clean-up. Pull out any dead annuals since leaving them can attract pests and diseases. Trim off dead or damaged branches on perennials, shrubs, and trees. Rake up fallen leaves because thick piles can smother your grass and cause mold, but shredded leaves make great mulch. You can compost healthy plant waste to create rich, organic fertilizer for next season.

📍 Protect Your Perennials

Even tough perennials need a little help to make it through winter. Cut them back to about 3 to 4 inches above the ground, then cover the soil with a thick layer of straw, shredded leaves, or bark. Give them a deep watering before the ground freezes, because hydrated roots handle the cold better. Just 2 to 3 inches of mulch can keep soil up to 20°C warmer during winter!

📍 Prepare Your Lawn

Late fall is your last chance to care for your lawn before it goes dormant. Mow one final time, keeping the grass about 2 inches tall to prevent snow mold. Aerate the soil so air and water can reach the roots, and apply a winter-slow-release fertilizer. If you did not reseed earlier, you can still overseed in early November as long as the soil is not frozen. The seeds will rest through winter and sprout when spring warms up.

📍 Protect Trees and Shrubs

Wrap young trunks with tree wrap or burlap to prevent frost cracks, and loosely tie branches with twine so they do not break under heavy snow. Water deeply before the freeze, especially for evergreens that lose moisture through their leaves. Spread mulch around the base, but keep it a few inches away from the trunk to avoid rot.

📍 Bring Potted Plants Indoors

Potted plants are more at risk in cold weather, so bring sensitive ones such as herbs, succulents, and tropicals inside. Check for pests before moving them and place them near a sunny window. Water lightly since most plants slow down during winter. For pots that must stay outdoors, wrap them with burlap or bubble wrap to protect the roots from freezing.

📍 Care for Garden Tools and Equipment

Do not forget your tools, as they will last much longer with a little care. Clean and dry everything to prevent rust, and sharpen blades on pruners, shears, and mowers. Drain garden hoses and store them indoors so they do not crack. Disconnect irrigation systems before freezing temperatures arrive. A little maintenance now can help you avoid costly repairs later.

Need Professional Help?

If you’re short on time or not sure where to begin, consider calling professional landscaping services in Bruce County. Experts can take care of pruning, irrigation, winterization, and soil preparation quickly and efficiently.

Preparing Your Landscape for the Cold Season

As the cool autumn air settles over Bruce County, it’s the signal to start preparing your yard for winter. Fall garden care is all about protecting your plants, soil, and outdoor spaces so they’re ready to shine again in spring. With a few simple steps, you can keep your yard healthy, resilient, and looking good all year long.

1. Clean Up Garden Beds

Clear out dead plants, weeds, and garden debris to cut down on pests and diseases. Don’t clear everything, though. Plants like coneflowers with seed heads are a natural food source for birds. A tidier bed also makes mulching and bulb planting way easier.

2. Mulching Matters

Think of mulch as a warm blanket for your garden. Add 2–3 inches around perennials, trees, and shrubs. It helps keep roots insulated, locks in moisture, and even prevents frost from pushing plants out of the ground. It also keeps weeds under control.

3. Lawn Prep

Give your grass a strong start for next year. Aerate compacted soil so roots can breathe, reseed bare patches, and feed with a fall fertilizer rich in potassium. Keep mowing until it stops growing, but don’t scalp it—leave it about 2.5–3 inches tall.

4. Prune with Care

Stick to light pruning. Remove dead, diseased, or broken branches, but skip the heavy cuts. Big pruning jobs encourage new growth that won’t survive the frost. A little trim keeps plants healthy and safe for winter.

5. Water Before Frost

Give your plants a deep watering before the ground freezes. Well-hydrated roots handle cold better, especially evergreens that still lose moisture in winter. A good soak now helps them go into dormancy strong.

6. Tools & Furniture

Your outdoor tools and furniture need attention too. Clean and sharpen tools before storing them to prevent rust and damage, drain and coil hoses to avoid cracking, and cover or store patio furniture to extend its life.

7. Boost the Compost

Fall is the perfect time to build up your compost pile. Add shredded leaves, grass clippings, and plant waste to create nutrient-rich compost for next year. Shredded material decomposes faster, giving you rich compost for planting season.

8. Plant Spring Bulbs

Want a colorful welcome after winter? Plant bulbs like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses now. Plant them at a depth about two to three times deeper than their size, and come spring, you’ll have a burst of color as soon as the snow clears.

And-Rod Landscaping & Gardens Has You Covered!