While enjoying the spectacular colours of the fall season, it’s the perfect time to undertake a few key gardening tasks to ensure your landscape is ready for winter. See our tips below on how to prepare your gardens for the winter ahead—and ensure a successful spring.

• Dahlias, canna lilies and gladiolus bulbs need to be lifted and stored for the winter.
• Spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffodils and crocus should be planted by end of November. Be sure to select quality bulbs and look for bulbs that are plump and firm. How deep to plant? Generally, dig a hole 2-3 times deeper than the bulb is tall, and plant bulb with pointy side up.
• Many perennials benefit from being divided every few years. Dividing plants is easy. Use a sharp spade to dig around the plant and lift it from the ground. Then, use your spade or sharp knife to divide the plant into smaller pieces. Replant them at the same depth they grew previously, but space them apart to give them room to grow.
• After the first frost, most perennials can benefit from a pruning. Use a pair of sharp pruning shears to remove the dead and dying foliage. Plants such as bearded iris, peony, lily, hosta, coneflower, black-eyed Susan and catmint can be cut back to a height of 3 to 5 inches.
• October is an ideal time to plant deciduous trees, shrubs and roses. The cool weather encourages plants to root quickly and the soil is generally easier to work with. Remember to use CIL Plant Starter transplant fertilizer found at Van Luyk’s.
• Continue to water your trees and shrubs, especially evergreens, to ensure that they stay hydrated all winter long.
• Autumn is the ideal time to replenish your soil for next year’s garden by spreading a fresh layer of compost, rotted manure, shredded leaves or even fresh topsoil over the surface. As it breaks down over the winter, it will improve your soil, especially if you have sand or clay.
• After the soil freezes, when daytime temperatures are no longer above zero, apply a mulch to your perennials for winter protection.
• Place a light coating of mulch, manure or compost around roses, berries, rhubarb and asparagus for winter protection.
• Aerate and top dress your lawn; sow new grass seed until end of October.
• One of the most important times to fertilize your lawn is the fall. A fall or winterizer fertilizer will help to improve and strengthen the root system of your grass.
• Collect fallen leaves to use as mulch in your garden. Discard any leaves that are damaged by insects, fungus or disease.

Our experienced staff are happy to answer your gardening questions. Or visit our for further information and tips.