Fall in Minnesota brings crisp air and spectacular colors, but also signals the critical time to prepare your garden for the harsh winter ahead. Taking proper steps now will protect your plants from freezing temperatures and set you up for a successful spring.
Minnesota gardeners know that fall prep is the secret to thriving gardens year after year.
1. Clean Up Dead Plants And Debris
Fallen leaves and dying plants create perfect hiding spots for pests and diseases that could harm next year’s garden. Grab your rake and garden gloves for a thorough cleanup session.
Remove annual plants completely, including roots. Cut back perennials to about 2-3 inches above the soil. Some gardeners leave ornamental grasses and seed heads for winter interest and bird food.
2. Divide Overcrowded Perennials
Fall offers the perfect opportunity to split those crowded perennial clumps. Look for plants that flowered poorly or have dead centers – classic signs they need dividing.
Hostas, daylilies, and irises respond particularly well to fall division in Minnesota. Dig up the entire plant, separate into smaller sections with a sharp spade, and replant immediately. Water thoroughly after replanting to help roots establish before the ground freezes.
3. Plant Spring-Blooming Bulbs
Minnesota’s cold winters provide the perfect chilling period that spring bulbs need to bloom beautifully. October is ideal for planting tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and alliums before the ground freezes solid.
Dig holes about three times as deep as the bulb’s height, with the pointed end facing upward. Group bulbs in clusters rather than straight lines for natural-looking drifts of color. Consider adding bone meal to the planting hole for better spring blooms.
4. Apply Mulch Protection
Minnesota’s freeze-thaw cycles can push plants right out of the ground! Mulching after the ground freezes (usually late November) insulates soil and prevents this heaving action.
Apply 3-4 inches of shredded leaves, straw, or pine needles around perennials, roses, and shallow-rooted plants. Avoid piling mulch directly against plant stems or tree trunks, which can cause rot and create cozy homes for rodents looking for winter shelter.
5. Test And Amend Soil
Fall presents the perfect time for soil testing since amendments have months to integrate before spring planting. Minnesota’s University Extension offers affordable soil testing services that provide customized recommendations.
Most Minnesota gardens benefit from adding organic matter like compost to improve structure and fertility. Fall-applied lime (if needed) has time to adjust soil pH before spring. Work amendments into empty beds now rather than waiting for the spring rush.
6. Protect Young Trees And Shrubs
Young trees face multiple winter threats in Minnesota: sunscald, rodent damage, and deer browsing. Tree wraps or guards protect tender bark from sudden temperature changes that cause splitting.
Install plastic tree guards around trunks, especially on thin-barked species like maples and fruit trees. Chicken wire cages deter hungry rabbits. For deer protection, consider spraying repellents or installing tall fencing around particularly vulnerable specimens before the first snow falls.
7. Empty And Store Garden Containers
Minnesota’s freezing temperatures can crack ceramic and terra cotta pots left outdoors. Empty soil from containers and store them in a protected location like a garage or basement.
For pots too large to move, try elevating them on pot feet to improve drainage. Some gardeners wrap large containers in bubble wrap or burlap for insulation. Clean pots with a 10% bleach solution before storing to prevent disease carryover to next season.
8. Winterize Irrigation Systems
Water expands when frozen, potentially causing thousands in damage to irrigation systems. Minnesota’s deep freezes make proper winterization absolutely essential.
Shut off water supply to outdoor spigots and drain remaining water from hoses and pipes. For in-ground systems, blow out water using compressed air or hire a professional service. Disconnect and drain soaker hoses, coil them loosely, and store in a frost-free location until spring.
9. Plant Cover Crops In Vegetable Beds
Empty vegetable beds left bare all winter lose valuable topsoil to erosion. Cover crops like winter rye or hairy vetch protect soil while adding organic matter when tilled under in spring.
Broadcast seed over cleared beds in early fall, lightly rake to cover, and water until established. These green manures suppress weeds naturally while fixing nitrogen in the soil. Minnesota gardeners particularly value cover crops for improving our heavy clay or sandy soils.
10. Harvest And Store Garden Tools
Clean tools last longer and spread fewer diseases between plants. Before storing for winter, remove caked-on soil from metal surfaces and sanitize with a diluted bleach solution.
Sharpen dull edges on pruners, shovels, and hoes. Apply a light coating of oil to metal parts to prevent rust during Minnesota’s humid spring. Wooden handles benefit from a light sanding and coating of linseed oil. Proper storage now means tools ready for action when spring arrives.