INDIANA FALL AND WINTER GARDEN CLEANUP CHECKLIST
Summer is in the rearview mirror, which means it’s time for a fall garden and landscape cleanup checklist to get your yard tucked in for a winter nap. Getting these tasks done now will prepare your landscape and plants to survive (whatever winter throws our way) and be ready for a great growing season next year. Here’s what you need to do to get your garden ready for winter in Indianapolis.
Harvest & Clean Up Garden Beds
Most of your veggie and herb garden is done for the season. Harvest whatever is left, and then get started on cleaning up the garden. Pull out dead plants, remove canes, cages, and row markers. If you have a composter, chop up the dead plants (that are not diseased) and add them to your compost bin. If you have tomatoes that haven’t quite ripened yet, you can carefully pull the entire plant out by its roots and then hang it upside in your garage or shed to allow the tomatoes to finish ripening on the vine.
Amend the Soil for Next Season
Fall is an excellent time to apply soil amendments to set your garden up for healthy production next season. Adding soil amendments in the fall gives it time to settle, break down, and improve your soil before you start planting in it next year.
If you’re not sure what to add to your soil, do a quick at-home soil test to see what nutrients your garden may be missing. Once you know what’s missing, our horticultural experts at the garden center can help you decide what to add to fix any imbalances.
It’s a great time to add compost to the soil, as well. You’ll know your compost is ready to be used when it is starting to resemble black garden soil and has little to no smell, or visit a local garden center to buy some.
Clear Away Dead or Diseased Debris
Piles of branches from pruning, or general leftover dead plants, can be added to your composter to start next year’s batch. If you don’t have a composter, or you have too much to fit in your composter, see if you can find a local composting company to take it away for you.
Plants that have contracted diseases or fungal infections should not be disposed of in your compost. Infected plant matter should be disposed of in sealed garbage bags with your trash. If you have a large amount of diseased plant material, contact the city for advice about correctly disposing of it.
Rake Leaves & Make Mulch or Compost
The leaves won’t rake themselves, and they’re a valuable resource for your garden. Leaves are one of the best soil additions for your garden. Rake your fall leaves into rows for the best results, then mow over them with a bagged mower. Add the chopped leaves to your compost bin or work them directly into the soil.
Unchopped leaves can also be used as mulch around perennials and in garden beds.
Protect Delicate Perennials, Trees & Shrubs
If you have tender perennials, like some rose varieties, or newly planted trees and shrubs, it’s time to protect them for winter. If you’ve got rose collars, put them in, and fill them with dry leaves. If you don’t have collars, put some stakes around your rose plant and wrap them with burlap. Make sure you get the burlap as close to the soil as you can.
Many evergreen shrubs and trees benefit from an application of an anti-desiccant spray and some (such as boxwood) benefit from burlap wrapping. It’s also recommended to use plastic tree wraps around the main stem of your young trees; deer and other critters love to strip off the young bark during the winter months. Make sure to give all perennials, shrubs, and new trees a long deep watering before the ground freezes.
Apply a Blanket of Mulch
Last, but possibly the most important, give your trees, shrubs, and perennials a cozy layer of mulch. Apply it 2-4 inches thick over the whole root zone of your plants. It’s best not to pile mulch up in a volcano shape around the trunk of trees and shrubs as that will cause rot.
Whatever you have left to do in the garden, we can help. From supplies to tools, inspiration to advice, the Dammann’s Garden Co. team is here to help you have a successful gardening experience all season long.