Horticulture/Fall Cleanup

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Fall cleanup is the process of "putting the garden to bed" for the winter.

Outline:

• Before leaves fall
  • Identify trees and shrubs with diseased foliage, treat or remove as necessary
  • Remove any weeds, with priority to those that will be in seed when leaf cleanup is done
  • Prepare compost area
  • Check lawn for weeds, treat and reseed if necessary
  • Dig tropical plants and prepare them for overwintering indoors
• During leaf fall
  • Keep hardscapes clean for safety
  • Frequently pick up leaves from trees and shrubs with diseased foliage
  • Dig or mulch tender plants as necessary
• After leaves fall
• Cutting back
  • What to cut back
  • What not to cut back
    • Winter interest
    • Insulation
    • Bird habitat concerns
• Fall pruning
  • What to prune
  • What not to prune
• Heeling
  • In ground
  • In containers
• Mulching
  • Deciding whether to insulate or expose
• Composting
  • Shredding
  • Storing browns
• Bulb planting
  • Separate chapter
• Transplants and new plants