Fall Clean-up – More Important than Ever

October 9, 2004

By Lee Oliphant, Master Gardener

The fall garden clean-up and preparation for winter is the last thing that gardeners want to do after months of labor. However, fall clean-up is essential for the health of soil, plants, animals, and humans that occupy natural space.

With the out-break of the West Nile Virus, your annual garden clean-up is more important than ever. The West Nile Virus, with its flu-like symptoms, is transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Ridding your garden of standing water, or containers that collect water will help curb mosquito breeding in your area. Patrol your garden. Turn over, or store, empty pots and saucers, buckets, or any other container that may be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Your fall clean-up list should also include clearing out leaves that litter your lawn and flower beds. Mix them with kitchen scraps, keep damp, and enjoy fresh compost in the spring. Be on the lookout for snails and slugs that start appearing this time of year. Fall is their breeding season so removing them now will pay off all year.

Divide clumping plants that have become crowded. Daylilies, Agapanthus, Alstroemerias, lamb’s ear, Shasta daisies, yarrow, and iris will benefit from division about every three years.

Trim and deadhead spent blossoms and seed heads from flowering plants. Transplant plants that have grown too large for their space or need a different environment to thrive.

Rake thatch buildup from lawns, or use an aerator. Feed fescue and other cool-season grasses lightly with a complete fertilizer. As days shorten and humidity increases, periodically reset sprinklers by extending the time between watering.

Plant spring-flowering bulbs - such as daffodils, Dutch iris, and freesias. Soak Ranunculus for an hour before planting, then set tubers (prong side down) under two inches of soil. Chill hyacinth and tulips in the refrigerator for six weeks before planting.

Seeds can be planted this time of year. Biennials (plants that need a second year to flower and go to seed) should be planted now. Hollyhocks, some poppies, foxgloves, and Canterbury bells need the upcoming cool weather to flower next spring.

Plant cool-season annuals such as Calendulas, Dianthus, Iceland poppies, pansies, Lobelia, snapdragons, stock, primroses, and violas. Sow seeds of baby blue eyes, forget-me-nots, sweet alyssum, sweet peas, and spring wildflowers.

If you enjoy a winter vegetable garden, plant garlic, onion sets, potatoes, and seeds of beets, carrots, chard, lettuce, radishes, snow peas and spinach. Set out broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, chives, and parsley.

Fall is a good time for planting trees and shrubs. Deciduous varieties like Chinese tallow, locust, and liquidambar, and evergreen trees such as oaks, Acacia, Eucalyptus, and olive can be successfully planted now. Plant California native shrubs such as Ceanothus, western redbud, flannel bush, plumbago, rockrose and sage.

And, don’t forget the soil. Plants will benefit from healthy soil. Mulch beds with a 3-inch layer of organic compost. If your unplanted soil is especially poor, you can plant a cover crop that will choke out weeds, improve air, root, and water penetration and encourage earthworms and beneficial microorganisms.

Now you can sit back and rest along with the garden that you have nurtured and “put to bed”. It is time for nature to take over and for you to dream of the colors, smells, and textures of future gardens and warmer seasons.

University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers can provide additional gardening information upon request. Call the San Luis Obispo office at 781-5939 on Mondays and Thursdays from 1 to 5 PM, the Arroyo Grande office at 473-7190 on Wednesdays from 9 AM to 1 PM, or the Paso Robles office at 237-3100 on Wednesdays from 9 AM to Noon.  The San Luis Obispo Master Gardener website is at http://groups.ucanr.org/slomg/. Questions can be e-mailed to mgsanluisobispo@ucdavis.edu.