The Ultimate Guide to Fall Gardening in Newton for 2022
Fall garden cleanups in New England
Fall is an incredibly important time to update your garden, especially if you live in the northeast where winters are harsh. In the autumn, we always ensure doing garden cleanups and preparations before the winter. Some of the tasks that you can do are raking leaves, removing dead plants and pruning back perennials.
It is important to remove dead plants and plant debris from your garden before it starts to decompose in a way that is harmful. Raking leaves will help with the decomposition process because it will cover the leaves with a layer of mulch, which will prevent them from releasing harmful gases into the air.
Fall is a great time to plant your garden because it will give you plenty of time for the plants to grow before the harsh New England winter hits. You can also enjoy the fall colors and harvest some fresh vegetables from your garden before it's too cold outside.
Some plants may not grow as well because they have less sunlight than they would in springtime or summer. There are also fewer pests like mosquitoes and many birds begin to migrate away for the winter.
How to Prep your Garden for Fall
The leaves are changing, the days are getting shorter and the temperature is dropping. It’s time to prepare the land for a fall garden. It’s important to first clear out any debris and weeds that have accumulated over the summer. This can be done by tilling or by using an edger on a lawn or in your garden beds. Next, add mulch around trees and shrubs to help protect them from winter’s cold temperatures. Finally, make sure you prep for winter by watering your plants early in the morning so they don't get too much water at night when it can freeze more easily; cover young plants with mulch or other materials; and check on your plants regularly throughout winter to make sure they're not being damaged by snow or ice buildup.
Here are some ways that PlantParenthood gets started on cleaning up your garden this fall, especially in the New England/Boston/Newton area.
Preparing the soil. Adding mulch on top of soil and tilling it in. This will help keep moisture in the ground so that it doesn't freeze over winter.
Getting ready for cold weather. PlantParenthood loves to install plants that can withstand cold weather. For those that are a bit more sensitive, we move them to a place near your house or garage where they'll be protected from wind and snow.
Should I prepare my garden for the spring now? Sometimes, you have to wait. If you live in an area where winter temperatures are expected to dip below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it's best not to plant anything outdoors that would die during those conditions but instead wait until spring when temperatures will be warmer.
What do PlantParenthood’s gardeners do in the fall? Part of our preparation process includes breaking up clumps of dirt and get it ready for planting in the spring. Adding mulch will also help with this process because it acts as an insulator and prevents moisture from evaporating too quickly from the ground. Preparing for cold weather is important because a lot of plants need particular conditions in order to thrive, such as sunlight and heat, so they may not survive if they are not prepared properly.
What are the Best Plants to Grow in the Fall?
The best plants for your fall garden will depend on your climate and which plants grow best in your area. PlantParenthood is the best garden designer in the area, because we focus on keeping your garden sustainable, long-lasting, and healthy for the local ecosystem. Because we expect snowfall every year, we prefer to include hardier plants that can withstand freezing temperatures, such as evergreens or shrubs with berries like blueberries and cranberries. If you live in an area that doesn't have much snowfall, then you may want to plant more flowering plants that bloom during the winter months like tulips and daffodils.
The best plants for fall gardens are those that will bloom in winter, or provide beautiful foliage color. We need to prepare spring/summer bulbs to go dormant for the winter and we will also support in bringing any other plants indoors that would otherwise perish during the frost.
Fall is a time of year when many people are thinking about their garden and what plants they should grow in the fall.
If you have questions, give us a call: 781-771-4418 or email: dave@plantparenthood.design