End of the Month Checklist

I’ve compiled a general list of tasks that should be completed by the end of the month. These are the final steps necessary to ‘put your garden to bed’ for the winter. I find this always bittersweet as it is saying farewell to my favorite place, my garden, for the long winter. Time spent now will pay off next spring!

• Bring in fuchsias, begonias and geraniums
• Cut back raspberry canes that have grown too long
• Dig up dahlias and gladiolas before the first frost and store in a cool, dry place
• Divide large clumps of rhubarb
• Mulch root crops like carrots, onions and parsnips and they will last much longer in the ground
• Keep the lawn raked and clear of debris, compost any leaves
• Winterize your roses
• Have all bird feeders cleaned, filled and ready for our feathered friends
• Allow ornamental grasses to die back and don’t cut back until spring
• Have tools cleaned, oiled and stored
• Lime your lawn if haven’t already, this is very important!
• Mulch flower beds with mild mushroom manure
• Drain and turn off underground sprinkler system. It can be very expensive if you forget!
• Second to last thing: wrap and mulch bananas and hardy palms
• Last thing: take all hoses off and store for the winter