Free Fall Garden Chores Checklist

Fall Garden Chores Checklist - The Self Sufficient HomeAcre

Fall Garden Chores Checklist

There are so many fall garden chores to take care of that it can feel a little overwhelming at times. We really want to enjoy those crisp sunny days and spring is such a long way off. You might be tempted to skip the fall garden cleanup and visit an apple orchard or pumpkin patch instead!

However, your tools will last longer if you clean and put them away properly. Getting started on the garden in the spring will be so much easier if you ‘make your beds’ in the fall.

So let’s get started on our fall garden chores checklist before the weather gets too cold!

This post contains affiliate and referral links and advertising as a means to earn income. You won’t pay any extra but I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.

You might be interested in starting a garden planner or journal to help you keep track of your chores. #ad

Heirloom Seeds ad
advertisement

Garden Chores to Do in Autumn

Many of the chores you take care of in the fall will depend on your weather, garden features, and plantings. Your location on the USDA Plant Hardiness Map is also important in creating your customized checklist. you can check your zone here…

Here are some ideas for chores to take care of in autumn:

  • Plant garlic bulbs in early fall
  • Remove spent vegetable plants and clean up garden beds
  • Clean out any diseased plants from your garden and landscape
  • Protect vegetable plants from frost to get a few more tomatoes, cukes, etc
  • Build or install a cold frame to extend the garden season
  • Clean tools and protect wood and metal with a coat of vegetable oil
  • Plant trees, shrubs, and perennial flowers, fruits, and vegetables
  • Decorate the landscape with chrysanthemums, asters, pumpkins, and gourds
  • Clean windows, deck, walkways, and exterior of your home
  • Put the garden hose away (make sure the water is drained) before the weather freezes
  • Clean out the tool shed and put twine in mouseproof containers
  • Stash any leftover seeds in a survival seed bank for the best germination next year
  • Mulch leaves and grass clippings
  • Winterize water features
  • Clean and sanitize bird feeders and birdbaths
  • Set up a heated birdbath for feathered friends in winter
  • Harvest and Store Potatoes and other root crops for your root cellar
  • Plant cover crops
  • Harvest and Store Pumpkins and Winter Squash
  • Plant winter-sown crops
  • Divide and transplant spring-flowering perennials
  • Plant spring-flowering bulbs
  • Clean patio furniture and cover or store it in a protected place
  • Put away any decorations that won’t withstand freezing temperatures.
  • Turn compost in bins
  • Move tender herbs and houseplants indoors for winter
  • Protect tender perennials with mulch
  • Cover roses and other tender shrubs with burlap or rose cones
  • Spray boxwood, holly, and other broadleaf evergreens with an anti-desiccant
  • Clean weeds out of flower beds and mulch
  • Prune dead wood out of trees and shrubs
  • Keep newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials watered in dry weather
  • Dig dahlias, gladiolas, and other bulbs if they won’t survive the winter in your area
  • Collect seeds from annuals that you would like to replant in spring

I’ve also created a free checklist printable that you can download and print out as many times as you like!

Just click on the ‘Download’ button, below, and print out your free checklist!

You may also print out a Blank Fall Garden Chores Checklist to create your own customized worksheet!

Some Chores You SHOULDN’T Do In Fall

Did you know that there are some chores that shouldn’t be done in the fall? You might be tempted to do a few of these but it could cause damage.

Don’t do these chores in the autumn:

  • Apply high-nitrogen fertilizers, causing tender growth that isn’t winter-hardy
  • Divide fall-blooming perennials
  • Trim lilacs or other spring-blooming shrubs, you’ll remove next year’s flower buds
  • Pruning fruit trees can lead to winter injury or weak growth that is killed in winter
  • Till the soil, causes erosion
  • Do a full clean up of flower beds and landscaping – leave habitat for overwintering pollinators!
Your spring garden will be ready much sooner if you take care of your fall garden chores!
Spring garden!.

Next Spring You’ll Be Glad Your Garden is Ready!

Spring is such a busy season that you don’t want to leave all of your chores until then. If you’ve cleaned up the vegetable garden in fall you’ll be ready for an early start next spring!

Be sure to leave some overwintering habitat for pollinators, such as butterflies and bees! One of my favorite ways to help the good bugs is by shredding leaves with the lawnmower and using them to mulch around trees, shrubs, perennials, and garden beds.

Read my Spring Garden Chores Checklist!

What chores do you need to do this fall? Leave a comment!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Fall Garden Chores Checklist - Here's a handy list of your #Fall #Garden chores! And a few things NOT to do in Fall...by The Self Sufficient HomeAcre
.

77 Comments

    • Lisa Lombardo
  1. Karen D
    • Lisa Lombardo
  2. Kathy in Idaho
  3. Opal W
  4. SharonC
  5. Molly
  6. Cynthia Pratt
  7. Kris
  8. Carla
  9. Greta Grooms
  10. Deborah Bolin
  11. John
  12. Filomena
  13. Maci S
  14. Lisa Cox
  15. Valerie Delano
  16. Kim
  17. Anouk
  18. Tracy Nelson
  19. C8
  20. Theresa Byer
  21. Jan Underhill
  22. Ashley E Shrader
  23. Ken
  24. Wanda Stevens
  25. freda tucker
  26. Mary
  27. Wendy Budrow
  28. Laurel Wilson
  29. Sue D
  30. Barbbette
  31. Maz
  32. Fawn Bowden
  33. Darlene Roudebush
  34. Rebecca
  35. Scotch
  36. Debbie
  37. Janet
  38. Amy Barker
  39. Cheryl
  40. Denise Burek
  41. CJ
  42. Barb
  43. Sandra
  44. ruth w vidunas
  45. One of God's
  46. Kathryn A Spealman
  47. Albert
  48. Cathi Ogden
  49. Donna Uyeno
  50. Cappy
  51. Tikvah Duesterbeck
  52. Heather Duncan
  53. Karin
  54. Becky
  55. Terri
  56. Gail
  57. Kathy Bogle
    • Lisa Lombardo
    • Lisa Lombardo
    • Lisa Lombardo
    • Lisa Lombardo
    • Lisa Lombardo
    • Lisa Lombardo

Add Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.