Fall Chores To Do In Your Garden

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This time of year I typically get sick of looking at all the dead plants, and begin fall chores in my garden.

I go to town with my shears. However I know I need to leave foliage for the birds and wildlife in winter.

I cut my plants back about a month ago. But it’s cooling off now, and most of the ones I’d like to have grow back are going strong. They will go dormant for winter and then emerge again in the spring.

Particularly the containers of ornamental grasses. They have grown at least a foot!

Ornamental Grass:

Cut back cool-season ornamental grasses in very early spring.

Leave their foliage in place until spring, and as soon as there is no more snow in the likely forecast, cut them back. Leave about 1/3 of the plant in place.

There is a need to cut the plant back to encourage the production of new flowers.

So don’t go too wild when cutting back the dead foliage if you have many winter months. The birds will appreciate the cover you leave for them.

Cut Back These Perennials In The Fall:

Iris:

While you can cut back iris leaves and stems after they have bloomed, it is recommended to leave the foliage on the plant until mid-fall to allow the plant to regain its energy to survive the winter and rebloom the following year. 

Bee Balm:

In the fall or winter, you should prune bee balm after it has died back. Take it back down to just above the soil’s surface.

This allows you to clean up the dead plant material, prevent powdery mildew, and perennial varieties will begin to show signs of new growth in the late winter or early spring again.

Phlox:

It is a good idea to cut phlox back in late fall due to the chance of powdery mildew. Phlox is susceptible to powdery mildew, especially when the foliage is wet for prolonged periods.

Daylilies:

Once the first frost has occurred, your lily plant no longer needs the energy produced by the foliage stalks, so cut it back.

If you don’t prune daylilies, you will get new growth mixed in with the old come spring.

Columbine:

The best time to cut back the whole Columbine plant is in the summer after it blooms. Once the green leaves start to die, take off the foliage.

Blanket Flower:

You should cut plants back, deadhead blooms, and pinch off blanket flower blooms in late fall. This will keep plants from wasting their energy on new blooms. 

Wait Till Spring To Cut These Perennials Back:

Butterfly Bush:

It’s best to prune the butterfly bush in early spring.

Coneflowers:

Leave these plants alone until spring so the birds can feast on the seed throughout winter.

Astilbe:

This plant will give you green during winter, so wait to cut this one back until spring.

Dianthus:

In warm climates, dianthus will give you blooms in both spring and fall. And they look good throughout winter.