Tips for clearing out annuals, cutting back perennials, and protecting your soil for winter
As the seasons change, fall is the perfect time to give your garden a little care before winter sets in. At Town & Country Nurseries in Haddam, we know that preparing now will make all the difference when your garden comes back to life in spring. Here’s how to “put your garden to bed” so it’s healthy, protected, and ready to grow next season.
1. Clear Out Spent Annuals
Once frost hits, remove annuals that have finished blooming. Compost healthy plant material and discard anything showing signs of disease. Clearing your beds now helps prevent pests and fungal issues next year.
2. Cut Back Perennials (But Not All)
Trim back perennials like daylilies and hostas to just above the soil line. Leave seed heads on plants such as coneflowers and ornamental grasses—they add winter interest and provide a valuable food source for birds.
3. Divide and Replant
Fall is an excellent time to divide overgrown perennials like iris and phlox. Dividing helps keep your garden balanced and ensures vigorous blooms next year.
4. Protect Your Soil
Once your beds are cleaned, cover exposed soil with compost, mulch, or shredded leaves. This layer helps retain nutrients, insulate roots, and improve soil health through the winter.
5. Prepare Vegetable Beds
Turn under spent plants, remove weeds, and enrich the soil with compost. Consider planting a cover crop such as clover or winter rye to naturally build soil fertility and suppress weeds.
6. Clean and Store Tools
Before the cold sets in, clean and sharpen your tools, drain hoses, and shut off outdoor water lines. A few extra minutes now will save you time and repairs come spring.
Quick Takeaway
A thoughtful fall cleanup helps your garden rest easy through winter and sets the stage for a strong start next spring.
Pro Tip: Don’t overdo the cleanup—leaving a few leaves or seed heads creates essential shelter for pollinators and beneficial insects through the cold months.
Visit Us:
Town & Country Nurseries
1036 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT 06438
Phone: (860) 345-8581
Hours: Open Daily 9 AM – 5 PM
Family-owned and community-focused, Town & Country Nurseries is your local destination for plants, décor, and expert gardening advice in every season.
Stop in this fall for perennials, compost, mulch, and expert advice to help you prepare your garden for winter—and set the stage for a beautiful spring!
