Fall is the perfect season to pamper your peonies and set them up for a show-stopping bloom next spring. Michigan’s cooler temperatures make it an ideal time to give these beauties some extra TLC.
I’ve put together 10 simple steps I follow to keep my peonies healthy, happy, and ready to wow. With a little attention now, your garden will be bursting with color when spring arrives!
1. Cut Back Stems
Fall cleanup prevents disease in Michigan’s cool climate. Remove all stems by cutting them to about 2 inches above ground level after the first hard frost.
Discard the cuttings rather than composting them to eliminate any potential disease spores. Michigan gardeners find this simple task makes all the difference in next year’s blooming success.
2. Clear Debris
Michigan’s wet fall conditions can trap leaves around peony bases, creating perfect hiding spots for diseases. Rake away all fallen foliage, stems, and garden debris from your peony patch.
A clean growing area prevents botrytis blight and other fungal problems that Michigan gardens sometimes face. Your peonies will thank you with healthier spring growth!
3. Apply Compost
Nourish your peonies with a thin layer of compost around the crown, avoiding direct contact with stems. Michigan’s rich garden tradition includes this fall feeding ritual.
The nutrients slowly break down during winter, enriching the soil for spring growth. Many Michigan gardeners swear by local compost made from their own fallen leaves and kitchen scraps.
4. Add Mulch
Michigan’s freeze-thaw cycles can damage peony roots. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch after the ground freezes to maintain consistent soil temperatures throughout winter.
Shredded bark, straw, or pine needles work wonderfully for Michigan gardens. Remember to keep the mulch from touching the crown directly to prevent rot during spring thaws.
5. Divide Overcrowded Plants
Fall is perfect for dividing peonies that have grown too dense in Michigan gardens. Carefully dig up the entire root system and use a sharp knife to separate sections, ensuring each has 3-5 eyes.
Michigan’s climate provides ideal conditions for establishing divisions before winter dormancy. Replant immediately at the same depth, with eyes no deeper than 2 inches below soil level.
6. Adjust Planting Depth
Michigan’s soil shifts during freeze-thaw cycles, sometimes exposing or burying peony crowns. Check that eyes (growth buds) sit 1-2 inches below soil level and adjust if needed.
Too deep and they won’t bloom; too shallow and they’ll suffer winter damage. Michigan gardeners know this simple adjustment in fall can make the difference between stunning or sparse spring flowers.
7. Test Soil pH
Michigan soils vary widely across the state. Fall is ideal for testing your soil pH, as peonies prefer slightly alkaline conditions between 6.5-7.0.
Adjust acidic Michigan soils with garden lime or wood ash sprinkled around plants. Your county extension office can help with testing and recommendations specific to your Michigan garden’s needs.
8. Apply Bone Meal
Michigan peony enthusiasts often use bone meal in fall to promote root development and future flowering. Sprinkle a handful around each plant and gently work it into the soil surface.
The slow-release phosphorus strengthens roots during Michigan’s long winter. Your spring blooms will be larger and more numerous with this simple addition to your fall care routine.
9. Install Supports
Michigan’s spring rains can topple heavy peony blooms. Set up supports in fall while you can clearly see the plant’s structure and easily work around dormant crowns.
Metal peony rings or homemade supports made from branches work well in Michigan gardens. Come spring, new growth will hide the supports while they silently prevent flopping stems and muddy flowers.
10. Map and Label
Michigan winters erase garden memories! Create a simple map showing peony varieties and locations before plants disappear beneath snow. Use permanent markers on stakes or stones as labels.
Michigan gardeners appreciate this documentation when planning spring additions or when sharing divisions with neighbors. You’ll thank yourself when trying to recall which variety produced those incredible blooms you photographed last year.