You will need to assess your situation regarding plant growth and your climate. However, as a general rule, most plants should be cut back in the fall to prepare the garden for winter. Let’s look at some common plant types and when to cut them back.

Trimming, Pruning Bulbs

When your bulb flowers have finished blooming, it is a good time to remove the flower. Keep the greenery on however until it starts to yellow and die. Typically this will be in the fall. Make sure you cut back all of your bulbs come fall and that you split them and replant if necessary.

Trimming, Pruning Perennials

Fall is the best time to prune back perennials. You should use clean scissors to cut everything back to about 3 inches above the ground. Of course, bushes and large plants may not need such aggressive pruning. Take care of all of your pruning before the first freezing come fall.

Once you have pruned and cleaned out the other unnecessary plant matter from your garden, it is a good idea to apply a thick layer or mulch or compost. This will help protect plants from the freezing weather that is about to hit. Delicate plants may also need to be sheltered using burlap or other techniques once they have been trimmed back for the fall.

Fall is a busy time for gardeners. Although your plants are no longer growing rapidly like in the summer months, you have to take the time to prepare for winter. Trimming back plants is one of those important preparations that you need to remember each fall.

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.

Landscape Garden Clean Up

The first important consideration in preparing your garden for winter is cleaning up everything that won’t be needed during the winter. This means cutting back plants, pruning bushes, weeding, etc. Make sure you trim back any plants that have gone to seed before they start dropping seeds on the ground. Also clean up any trash, debris or stray plants at this time. The goal is to leave your garden as bare as possible to make things easier in the spring.

Split Bulbs and Replant

Fall is also the best time to divide bulbs before winter. You will know it is time to split your favorite bulbs if they didn’t have a strong floral showing last spring. Dig up and split any desired bulbs and replant. For your more delicate bulbs that won’t be able to weather the winter, dig them up now and store properly for spring.

Prepare Soil

The fall is also the perfect to prepare and nourish your soil for next year. Once you have prepared the garden by cleaning and taking care of fall planting, cover everything with a nice layer or compost or mulch. By preparing your soil now, you will be ready for spring planting.

Protect if Necessary

If you grow the same plants year after year, you should have a pretty good idea of what does well in the winter and what does not. Consider taking a few precautions to protect or shelter some of your less resilient plants. Taking a little time to protect your plants in the fall can result in a better looking garden and less winter fatalities come spring.

The gardening season is quickly coming to an end. Take the time now to leave everything tidy so that you can jump in and start gardening as soon as the winter snow melts next spring.