Help for Homeowners

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This web site is provided as a service to consumers by members of the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA).

GardenMinnesota Calendar: Fall

General Fall Season Tips:

Plant perennials. Fall installation gives plants time to develop a strong root system. Most perennials flower in the spring; if planted then, they may not bloom the first year.
Split and replant overgrown bulbs. Dig up the bulb after the foliage has died and allow it to dry thoroughly. After drying, bulbs can be split and replanted.
Cut perennials to the ground after hard frost and use foliage for compost.
Gather fallen leaves for mulch and compost use.
Dig summer-blooming bulbs after the first killing frost and save for next planting season

September

Take advantage of cool weather by planting trees, shrubs, and evergreens; use root-stimulating fertilizer to promote root growth.
Plant spring-flowering bulbs and work bone meal into bottom of planting holes for better growth.
Divide and replant perennials such as peonies and irises.
Water young trees and shrubs.
Now is the best time to seed new lawn, patch bare spots, and install sod. There isn’t as much competition with weed seeds now. Do it before September 15.
Plant chrysanthemums, pansies, asters, and flowering kale for fall color.
Apply weed-killer and fertilizer for lawn care, but not to newly seeded areas.

Clean garden beds and work compost into soil for spring plantings.
Remove dead annuals and add them to compost.
Cover tender roses before temperatures dip below 25 degrees.
Rake and recycle leaves for better air circulation and lawn-disease control.
Mow lawn until frost stops growth – tall, matted grass encourages snow mold.
Wrap young and thin-barked trees to protect against sunscald and animals.
Remove garden debris after the first frost to help minimize soil diseases and insects.

Early to mid-month, cover perennials with mulch to protect the crowns of the plants from the alternate freezing and thawing.
Put down an inch of hay or straw mulch over shallow-rooted perennials to prevent frost heaving (plants being pushed out of soil by freezing temperatures).
Plant large shade trees.
Water all the trees, shrubs, and evergreens, especially new plantings, just before the ground becomes frozen.