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Fall Clean Up
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Remove spent annuals from your garden. Pull
them out or cut them off at ground level, and leave the roots to decompose
and add organic matter to the soil. |
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Cut back herbaceous perennials (such as
peonies, irises, yarrows) you do not want to leave standing over the
winter. Leave an inch or two of stem sticking up above the crown to help
you find them in the spring. Perennials with strong stems and decorative
seedheads (such as purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans and "Autumn
Joy" sedum) can be left standing to provide texture and form to your
winter garden. Also leave perennials such as lavender, sage, Russian sage
and thyme that set next year's growth buds above ground on woody branches.
Do not cut down ornamental grasses until late winter or early spring. |
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Clear the dead plants, fallen leaves and
other debris from the "floor" of your garden. This yard waste
can harbor diseases, rodents or eggs of insects. |
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Cut a clean edge where landscaping and
flowerbeds meet the lawn. There are lawn-edging tools made just for this
job, although a spade (especially with the edge sharpened) works well.
Edging is easier if done the day after rain or watering, so the ground is
soft. |
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It may be a bit of work, but cleaning up the garden is a great
way to enjoy the cooler fall weather while getting some fresh air and exercise
... and you will have a rewarding feeling of accomplishment when you're done!
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