As autumn settles over Illinois, it’s the perfect time to prep your garden for the colder months. The shifting weather calls for a little extra care. A few smart steps now can make all the difference come spring.
Our state’s unique climate means timing and technique matter. Mulching, pruning, and protecting perennials help your garden rest easy through winter. It’s less about wrapping things up—and more about setting the stage.
By tending to your garden now, you’re giving it a head start. Winter prep isn’t just protection—it’s an investment in next season’s growth. Come spring, you’ll be glad you took the time.
1. Clean Up Those Fading Annuals
Once your summer flowers start looking sad, it’s time to say goodbye. I’ve found that removing spent annuals prevents disease from settling in over winter.
Last year, my neighbor in Springfield left her petunias too long and battled fungus issues the following spring. Clearing these plants also gives you a chance to collect seeds for next season.
Remember to add healthy plant material to your compost pile while discarding any diseased portions in the trash.
2. Why Mulching Matters More In Our Climate
A fresh layer of mulch acts like a cozy blanket for your garden beds. After the first light frost hits Illinois, I apply 2-3 inches around perennials, trees, and shrubs.
This extra protection shields root systems from our temperature fluctuations, which can be particularly dramatic in the Midwest. The freeze-thaw cycles we experience can push plants right out of the ground!
My favorite mulch is shredded hardwood, which breaks down nicely by spring and adds nutrients to the soil.
3. Give Perennials The Right Haircut
Some perennials benefit from fall pruning while others prefer to keep their foliage through winter. In my Chicago garden, I cut back hostas, daylilies, and peonies after the first hard frost.
The dead foliage can harbor pests and disease if left all winter. For plants like coneflowers and ornamental grasses, I leave them standing until spring since they provide food for birds and winter interest.
Sterilize your pruning tools with rubbing alcohol between cuts to prevent spreading any diseases.
4. Plant Spring Bulbs Before The Ground Freezes
Fall is the perfect time to think ahead to spring blooms. Our Illinois soil typically remains workable until mid-November, giving plenty of time to plant tulips, daffodils, and crocuses.
A trick I learned from a gardening friend in Champaign is to add bone meal to the planting hole. This slow-release phosphorus source encourages strong root development during winter dormancy.
Plant bulbs at a depth of 2-3 times their height, and consider grouping them in clusters of 7-12 for the most dramatic spring display.
5. Don’t Forget To Water Before Winter
Many Illinois gardeners pack away their hoses too early. Even though temperatures drop, plants—especially evergreens and newly planted additions—need moisture before winter sets in.
Deep watering helps plants survive our harsh Midwestern winters. I continue watering until the ground freezes, focusing on trees and shrubs planted within the last two years.
A soaker hose left on for an hour once a week delivers water directly to the roots where it’s needed most, reducing stress during dormancy.
6. Prepare Your Soil For Spring Success
Fall presents the perfect opportunity to improve your garden soil. After clearing beds, I add a layer of compost to feed the soil microbes that work all winter long.
Testing your soil pH now gives you time to make adjustments before spring planting. Our Illinois soils tend to be slightly acidic to neutral, but specific areas may vary.
For heavy clay soils common in northern Illinois, working in leaf mold or gypsum helps break up compaction. I’ve noticed significantly better drainage in my beds since adopting this fall routine.
7. Rake Leaves – But Not Where You Think
Those colorful Illinois maple and oak leaves aren’t trash—they’re garden gold! While removing them from lawns prevents grass damage, consider creating leaf mold in garden beds.
Shredding leaves with a mower accelerates decomposition and prevents them from matting. Last fall, I created a simple chicken wire bin for leaf storage, and by summer I had beautiful leaf mold to use as mulch.
A 2-inch layer of shredded leaves around shrubs and perennials adds insulation and gradually breaks down to feed the soil.
8. Shield Sensitive Plants From Harsh Illinois Winters
Some plants need extra protection from our punishing winter winds and temperature swings. For younger shrubs, I create burlap shields secured with stakes around—not directly on—the plants.
Rose bushes benefit from mounding soil or compost around the base to protect the graft union. A master gardener in Peoria taught me to stuff the interior of rose cages with dried leaves for additional insulation.
Containerized plants should be moved to sheltered locations, as pots can freeze solid in our climate, damaging roots beyond recovery.
9. Collect And Store Garden Tools Properly
Taking care of your tools now saves headaches next spring. Before storing, I clean soil from metal surfaces and apply a light coat of oil to prevent rust during our humid Illinois winters.
Wooden handles benefit from a light sanding and application of linseed oil. One year I skipped this step and found my favorite spade handle cracked by February!
Empty and store hoses and watering equipment in a frost-free location. Our freeze-thaw cycles are particularly hard on outdoor plumbing and plastic components.
10. Plan And Dream For Next Year’s Garden
As outdoor work winds down, the planning phase begins. I keep a garden journal noting what thrived in our Illinois climate and what struggled this season.
Fall is ideal for sketching new garden layouts while the current plantings are still visible. My most successful garden additions came from autumn planning sessions with a cup of hot cider and seed catalogs.
Consider our growing zone (5-6 depending on your location in Illinois) when selecting new plants, and research native options that support local pollinators and require less maintenance.