End Of Summer Garden Checklist

Saying goodbye to summer can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be sad and stressful. That’s especially true if you think ahead and set your garden up to bounce back after the fall and winter. To help you along, here is a simple end-of-summer garden checklist that anyone can follow.

Pull weeds, prune dead growth, and replace the mulch in garden beds at the end of the summer. Doing so will ensure perennials receive enough energy and attention when temperatures plummet. Remove lots of garden debris, but leave just enough to let pollinators hide and protect themselves throughout the fall and winter.

The end of summer is the perfect time to plant daffodil and tulip bulbs. Follow along as we take a deep dive into our end-of-summer garden checklist.

Late Summer Gardening Checklist

1. Replace Mulch

Some people replace the mulch in their soil beds every year in the early spring, and that’s a viable option. However, it’s important to protect perennials before they go dormant as summer turns into fall. That’s why it’s a great idea to replace mulch at the end of summer and prepare your plants for autumn. This is especially important if you live on the East Coast or in the Midwest, where temperatures steadily plummet as the seasons change.

The key is to lay 2” to 4” of mulch to insulate the plants’ roots. Don’t apply too much, or you may suffocate them and restrict the natural air exchange. Avoid using artificial mulch, as it doesn’t offer as many benefits as an organic product does. Organic mulch will steadily infuse soil with key nutrients, like nitrogen and potassium.

2. Collect Seeds

Whether you grow crops and herbs or marigolds, your favorite plants are likely producing many seeds, the gifts that keep on giving, but only if you collect and safely store them. The key is to put them in a paper bag to protect them from sunlight and moisture. Put the bag in a dry, dark place to prevent them from sprouting. Label the seed bags, or else you may forget what you have when spring rolls around several months' later.

3. Restore The Soil

By the end of the summer, the soil has gone through a lot of nutrient and gas exchange. Rain, heat, plants, and pests slowly deplete the earth of vital nutrients that your plants need to survive. That’s why it’s important to enrich the soil at the end of the summer to help support your plants throughout the fall and winter.

Remove sick or dead annuals that may otherwise provide shelter to pests. Mix some nutritious, balanced compost into the soil and spread it evenly. This will slowly release key nutrients during the next few months. Some people also treat soil with organic fertilizers at the end of the summer. That’s a great idea, but don’t use synthetic fertilizers, as it can do more harm than good.

4. Pick Plants To Move Inside

More and more people move plants indoors at the end of summer. Growing houseplants is rewarding, especially after raising them outside. Carefully consider which plants you want to move indoors. For example, you don’t need to move hardy perennials if they’re native to your area. That’s because they will likely survive the fall and winter temperatures, since they’re adapted to that environment.

However, you may want to bring your tender perennials and tropical plants indoors at the end of summer. That’s especially true for tropical plants, which cannot survive cold temperatures. Purchase artificial lights and dedicate some space to your favorite plants before the first frost of the year.

5. Pull Weeds

The weeds in your garden may grow less aggressively throughout the late summer and autumn, but you shouldn’t leave them there. Weeds continually drop seeds, which means more weeds will pop up when spring arrives. That’s why it's a good idea to pull weeds at the end of the summer to set your garden up for success.

Any remaining weeds will steal energy from your dormant perennials, which can prevent them from coming back. It’s important to mulch soil beds before the fall, however, you’re better off pulling weeds before applying mulch, as that’s the perfect one-two-punch against weeds returning.

6. Plant Fall Favorites

You’re not alone if you do most of your gardening between spring and summer. But you can also plant some fall favorites at the end of the summer, including pansies, chrysanthemums, asters, and violas. Planting them from seed at the end of summer doesn’t always work well in every climate. You’re better off starting with a young plant, so you don’t have to do too much to help it thrive.

You’ll see some substantial growth by mid-fall, which is better than waiting for seeds to sprout. The end of the summer is also the perfect time to plant daffodil, allium, crocus, and tulip bulbs. They won’t flower until the following spring, but you’ll at least have a nice head start.

7. Remove Garden Debris

Yardwork isn’t fun, but it’s better than finding your yard in bad shape when the spring arrives. That’s why you should remove as much debris from your yard and garden as possible at the end of summer. Excessive debris can weigh down lawn and soil beds and make them retain too much moisture. This is especially problematic if you live in a rainy, snowy climate.

Even worse, fungal diseases can linger in organic debris, and you must throw it away to protect your plants. That said, you may want to leave some piles of leaves and twigs to support pollinators. Pollinators often hide in piles of yard debris to protect themselves from predators and cold temperatures.

8. Harvest The Fruits Of Your Labor

Whether you’ve grown basil and lavender or cucumbers and tomatoes, the end of summer will likely see one of your final harvests. This is a bittersweet feeling, but there’s no reason to mourn the growing season. That’s especially true if you get one last great harvest for the year.

Giving away herbs, veggies, and fruit is one of the joys of gardening. However, you should at least preserve some of your garden's goodies to enjoy until the next growing season. Blanching, freezing, and canning your produce is almost as fun as growing it in the first place.

Summing It Up

At the end of the summer, pull any remaining weeds and apply 2” to 3” of mulch to protect perennials during the fall and winter. It’s also important to treat the soil with organic fertilizer and remove garden debris that may contain pests. Plant some bulbs at the end of the summer to ensure they flower when spring arrives.

Related Guides:

• DIY Mulch Ideas For Your Fall Garden
• Plants You Should Bring Inside In The Fall