The  Home for Home Inspectors, Appraisers and Contractors!

     Fall is traditionally associated with harvesting and stocking up for the winter ahead;  however, many locations in the U.S., even those accustomed to getting heavy snow in the winter, embrace the fall as a great time to extend their garden harvest and continue to play with their landscape.  Gardeners may continue to plant a regular 'salad mix' and root vegetables through November.  Fall is also a great time to plant bulbs and other plants for the following spring.  Landscapers who think ahead may already have some great flower varieties showing off their colors in the fall.  Finally, fall is a great time to take advantage of mild temperatures to prepare the plants and soil for the winter ahead.  There are many projects for the fall garden to keep all green-thumbs happy!

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile." ~ William Cullen Bryant

Contents:
Introduction
Part I: The Garden
- Web Site Summaries & Links
Part II: The Landscape
- Web Site Summaries & Links

Part I: The Garden

There are many quick growing vegetables that enjoy the milder fall temperatures. There are also some longer growing vegetables that don't mind a little frost and may be planted early fall for a harvest in November/December.  Some of those that can help keep your green thumb busy are:  Arugula - Beets - Broccoli - Cabbage - Carrots - Cauliflower - Leeks - Mustard - Radish - Scallions - Spinach - Turnips - Winter Squash.  (Click on each vegetable for more information.)

As you enjoy your fall vegetable garden, keep some of the following tasks in mind to prep the soil for your spring planting:

1. Remove dead plants.  If you leave dead plants in your garden, they may become a hiding place for pests.  Instead, collect healthy remains and place them in a compost bin or discard them completely.  Also remove old stakes and twine as this will get messy over the winter and become more of a headache to clear out come spring.

2. Till the soil.  You can till dead leaves and compost into the soil to add nutrients over the winter; however, be careful not to use too much as you do not want to mat the surface.  In addition to adding nutrients, tilling the soil in the fall can expose existing pest larvae, forcing them to freeze in the winter so they don't lay dormant until your next spring garden.  Finally, take a soil sample; fall is a great time to add lime or sulfur to adjust the soil pH for spring.

3. Use cover crops.  If you have a mild enough winter, you may want to consider cover crops such as clover and rye grass (ask your local garden store for localized suggestions).

4. Do not fertilize.  Save your money and don't use fertilizer as this will just wash away before your spring planting.

5. Plan your next garden.  Use time in the fall and winter to sketch out next years' garden.  Doing this early will help you decide if you should make any adjustments or amend soil in certain areas now.

 Fall Gardening Links

Add beauty to your yard all autumn long, and get your garden ready for winter.

Compost Guide -
Why Make Compost?
Compost is one of nature's best mulches and soil amendments, and you can use it instead of commercial fertilizers. Best of all, compost is cheap. You can make it without spending a cent. Using compost improves soil structure, texture, and aeration and increases the soil's water-holding capacity.

Fall is the perfect time to plant shrubs, trees and bulbs, tend fall veggies and improve your lawn. 

The US National Arboretum
Zone map and information.

HowStuffWorks - a Discovery Company
Vegetable Garden Mulches - Mulches are either organic or inorganic material placed on the soil around vegetable plants. Mulches perform a number of useful functions. They protect against soil erosion by breaking the force of heavy rains; they help prevent soil compaction; they discourage the growth of weeds; and they reduce certain disease problems. Mulches are insulators, making it possible to keep the soil warmer during cool weather and cooler during warm weather.

Vegetable Library - Vegetables are healthy, delicious and fun to grow. Learn everything you need to know about vegetables and vegetable gardens.

 Fall Landscaping Links

Better Homes & Gardens
Learn how to create beautiful fall landscapes with ideas from the East Coast and the West Coast.

Home & Garden TV
Fall-Gardening Basics - Fall is the perfect time to plant shrubs, trees and bulbs, tend fall veggies and improve your lawn.  We show you how, plus cover a lot of the basics.

Lowe's How To
Landscaping with Mulch - Neatly mulched beds improve the appearance of any landscape. But beyond its appearance, a layer of mulch provides many other benefits. Mulch protects the plants' root systems and can add much-needed nutrients to the soil. Mulch slows the erosion of topsoil. Though applying mulch may seem like a chore, it can actually save you effort later in the season.

The US National Arboretum
Zone map and information.

Part II: The Landscape

Looking for a little color around your house in the fall?  Try some of these plants to add color to your home with their vibrant fall colors and blooms:  American Cranberry Bush - Chrysanthemum - Burning Bush - Iris (re-blooming) - Kale - Pansies.  (Click on each plant for more information.)

Or perhaps you are considering your spring flowerbeds.  These plants can be planted in the fall to make sure they are established for a spring awakening: Allium - Crocus - Daffodil (Narcissus) - Hyacinth - Iris - Tulip.  (Click on each plant for more information.)

Fall is also a great time to introduce new plants to your landscape.  Many of your large plants such as trees and shrubs do best when planted in the spring or fall.  Planting in the fall allows them milder temperatures to get established before the winter.  Now is also a good time to relocate plants that may not be happy in their current location.  Also, perennials such as Daylilies, Geraniums, Irises, Lambs Ears, and Peonies may be divided and spread in your landscape for a new bloom next year.

Now is the time to clean up your landscape and prep your plants for the winter ahead.  The following guidelines will help you 'tuck' your landscape in for a peaceful slumber until next spring:

1. Water!  Make sure you water all your plants one last time.  It may be muddy, but they will appreciate a good drink before the ground freezes.

2. Cut!  Cut back perennials and add to the compost bin.  If you have any question about the health of the plant, discard the cuts instead.  Also cut back any evergreens and shrubs; at this point you are mainly cutting out dead or diseased stems on the plant.

3. Sweep!  Clear debris such as leaves and pine needles from the base of your plants.  Crushed dried leaves can be used to make mulch or compost.  Some gardeners may also use pine needles for mulch, however, pine needles can make a more acidic soil.

4. Dig!  The annuals in your landscape have had their moment of glory, but now it's time to dig them up and add them to your compost bin.

5. Mow!  Continue to mow the lawn until it stops growing.  Make sure to rake leaves to prevent molding and dead spots.  You will also want to fertilize the lawn once in the early fall and again after it stops growing.

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.  ~ Albert Camus