Essential Late Fall Tasks

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. 

And-Rod Landscaping and Garden, proudly serving Bruce Peninsula homeowners, offers seasonal maintenance that you can count on. Preparing your garden for winter may seem like hard work, but it’s an important step in keeping your landscape beautiful and thriving. Contact us now!