If you want your flowerbeds to be ready for spring planting, the fall is the time to prepare. By taking preparatory steps in the fall, you can ensure that you will be ready for spring planting. Soil takes time to absorb nutrients, and by preparing in the fall, you give your soil the time it needs. These tips will help you prepare your soil for next spring.

After a long growing season, soil generally is heavy and packed down. This can make it difficult to plant and to integrate mulch and compost. In the fall while soil is still relatively dry, you should turn over the dirt and break up any clumps.

While you are tilling and turning over the dirt, you have the perfect opportunity to introduce nutrients and other organic material. Consider raking your fallen leaves and integrating them as you turn over the dirt. You may also want to add compost, mulch or even fertilizer.

Generally the easiest way to break apart your dirt and add in the goodness that your soil needs is to do both at the same time. Spread a thick layer of whatever you want to add into your soil on top and then turn the dirt over a few times. Remember that the more you add into the soil, the less work it will be to get it ready in the spring. Break big clumps of dried dirt with your shovel and repeat the process as needed.

Once you have finished preparing your soil, it is a good idea to spread several inches of mulch over the top. This will protect any plants that will be remaining over the winter. And will leave your flowerbeds with an overall finished look until the snow falls.

A little bit of preparation now will save a lot of trouble later. Take the time to feed your soil in the fall so that you can produce beautiful flowers come spring.

Bulbs are an easy way for a gardener to bring color and life into their garden. They can easily be planted in the fall and will be ready to bloom come spring. If you haven’t worked with bulbs before, it can be difficult to choose bulbs since there are so many different varieties available. Here are a few suggestions for you to consider as you choose which bulbs you will be planting this fall.

Bulb Can Mean Many Different Things

When people say bulbs, they often mean many different things. Bulbs can come in many different shapes, sizes and varieties. Often people refer to the rhizomes of the iris plant, the tubers of dahlias, the corms of the gladiolus and traditional bulbs like daffodils and tulips all as bulbs. Read packages carefully so that you really know what you are purchasing. Tubers, rhizomes, corms and bulbs all have different planting, splitting and care requirements, so you need to know what you are purchasing.

When to Plant

Most spring bulbs are planted in the fall. However, some bulbs aren’t able to withstand cold winter temperatures. These tender bulbs need to weather the winter inside. If you plan on planting begonias, dahlias, gladiolus, freesia or other tender bulbs, be aware that in climates where the ground will freeze, you will not be planting until after the ground thaws in the spring. Other bulbs should be planted in the fall before the ground freezes so that they will be ready to grow come spring.

Level of Care

Also pay attention to the level of care required for each bulb you are selecting. Some bulbs are very easy to grow and require little more than plopping them in the ground and splitting them every few years. Others require much more care including removing and storing for winter and other considerations. Before you buy, make sure you know how much time you are willing to spend maintaining your garden and how much of a commitment each bulb is.

What Do I Like?

This is probably the most important consideration when choosing bulbs for your garden. You need to think about what you like and would like to grow. There are so many bulb options available, that you should have no shortage of possibilities. Remember, as you look at bulbs, choose ones that are firm, covered in their natural papery covering and not moldy, rotted or diseased. Choosing healthy bulbs is important if you want to achieve beautiful results in your garden.

Bulbs can make a great addition to any garden. If you haven’t planted bulbs before, take a little time to explore your options, as you really will have an endless supply of available choices.