Digging and Storing Dahlia Tubers After Frost
Digging and Storing Dahlia Tubers After Frost In Zones 3 through 7, dig dahlia tubers about one to two weeks after the first frost blackens the foliage, let them dry for a day or two, then store them ...
Tree Watering Bags for Fall-Planted Trees
Tree Watering Bags for Fall-Planted Trees A newly planted tree needs about 10 to 15 gallons of water per week in fall, delivered slowly to the root ball, until the ground freezes. A tree watering bag ...
Outdoor Faucet Covers and Hose Care Before the First Freeze
Outdoor Faucet Covers and Hose Care Before the First Freeze Before the first hard freeze overnight lows near 28°F or colder, disconnect every garden hose, drain it, shut off the indoor valve that feed...
Last Mow of Fall: Best Height for Cool-Season Lawns
Last Mow of Fall: Best Height for Cool-Season Lawns For the last mow of fall, cut cool-season lawns Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, fine fescue, perennial ryegrass to about 2 to 2.5 inches, which is ...
How to Winterize a Lawn Mower for Winter Storage
How to Winterize a Lawn Mower for Winter Storage To winterize a gas mower, add fuel stabilizer to a full tank and run the engine for 5 minutes, or run the tank completely dry, then disconnect the spar...
Spring Bulbs to Plant in Fall in Zones 3-5
Spring Bulbs to Plant in Fall in Zones 3-5 In Zones 3 to 5, plant spring bulbs from mid September through late October, once nights stay in the 40s°F and soil at planting depth has cooled to about 55°...
Moving Citrus and Tropicals Indoors for Winter
Moving Citrus and Tropicals Indoors for Winter Bring tropical plants like hibiscus, mandevilla, and bougainvillea inside before nights drop below about 50°F, and potted citrus before the first frost, ...
Tulips vs Daffodils for Late Fall Planting
Tulips vs Daffodils for Late Fall Planting If you want bulbs that come back every spring and survive deer, voles, and squirrels, plant daffodils. If you want the widest range of colors and a big one-s...
Black Foliage Plants for Halloween Containers
Black Foliage Plants for Halloween Containers For a Halloween container in early to late October, the most reliable near-black plants are black mondo grass, dark-leaved heuchera, and black ornamental ...
Pumpkins, Gourds, and Planted Porch Vignettes
Pumpkins, Gourds, and Planted Porch Vignettes A fall porch that lasts from early October through Thanksgiving mixes uncarved pumpkins and gourds with living plants in pots: mums for early color, ornam...
Paperwhite Narcissus for Indoor Forcing
Paperwhite Narcissus for Indoor Forcing Paperwhites bloom four to six weeks after you set them in pebbles and water, and they need no cold period, so you can start them any time from October through D...
Forced Amaryllis Bulbs for Indoor Winter Bloom
Forced Amaryllis Bulbs for Indoor Winter Bloom Pot amaryllis bulbs from October through early December and most will bloom six to ten weeks later, which puts flowers on the table from late November th...
Pansies and Violas for Fall Containers
Pansies and Violas for Fall Containers Plant pansies and violas from late September through October, about four to six weeks before your ground usually freezes. That window gives roots time to settle ...
Ornamental Kale and Cabbage for Cool-Season Porch Color
Ornamental Kale and Cabbage for Cool-Season Porch Color Plant ornamental kale and cabbage from early October into November, once nights settle into the 50s °F. Their pink, purple, and cream centers on...
Shade Grass Seed for Fall Overseeding
Shade Grass Seed for Fall Overseeding For shady cool-season lawns, overseed in early fall with a fine fescue blend creeping red, chewings, and hard fescue, or a tall fescue shade mix where the yard al...
Bare-Root Peonies to Plant in Fall
Bare-Root Peonies to Plant in Fall Plant bare-root herbaceous peonies from late September through October, setting the pink buds eyes 1.5 to 2 inches below the soil surface in cold zones and no more t...
Wildflower Seed to Sow in Late Fall
Wildflower Seed to Sow in Late Fall Sow native perennial wildflower seed in late fall, after soil temperatures drop and stay below about 50°F, so seed sits dormant through winter and germinates on its...
Milkweed Seed to Sow in Late Fall
Milkweed Seed to Sow in Late Fall Sow native milkweed seed outdoors in late fall, after the soil turns cold, about 1/4 inch deep, and let winter handle the 30 to 60 days of cold, moist stratification ...
Bulb Cages to Stop Voles and Squirrels
Bulb Cages to Stop Voles and Squirrels The most reliable way to keep voles and squirrels from eating fall-planted bulbs is a wire bulb cage or a box of 1/2-inch hardware cloth buried around the planti...
Dividing Perennials in Early Fall
Dividing Perennials in Early Fall Divide spring- and summer-blooming perennials in early fall, about 4 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes, so the new pieces root in warm soil before winter. Hostas, ...
Digging Spades and Forks for Fall Planting
Digging Spades and Forks for Fall Planting For fall planting, dividing, and bed edging, most gardens need two tools: a flat-bladed garden spade with a sharp edge for cutting and planting, and a four-t...
Pole Saws for Late Fall Limb Pruning
Pole Saws for Late Fall Limb Pruning The best time to cut overhead limbs with a pole saw is after leaves drop in late fall and through winter dormancy, when you can see branch structure and trees are ...
Lawn Sweepers for Fall Leaves
Lawn Sweepers for Fall Leaves A lawn sweeper picks leaves, pine needles, and grass clippings off turf into a hopper without noise or fuel, and it is the fastest quiet option for medium to large lawns ...
Starter Fertilizer for Fall Grass Seeding
Starter Fertilizer for Fall Grass Seeding Apply starter fertilizer the same day you seed a new or overseeded cool-season lawn in late August through early October, at the label rate, then water both i...
Cordless Hedge Trimmers for Fall Shrub Shaping
Cordless Hedge Trimmers for Fall Shrub Shaping Do light shaping with a cordless hedge trimmer in early fall, and finish at least 6 weeks before your first expected frost, so any new growth has time to...
Chipper Shredders for Fall Branch Cleanup
Chipper Shredders for Fall Branch Cleanup A chipper shredder turns fall prunings, storm limbs, and leaves into free mulch instead of yard-waste bags. For most suburban yards, an electric chipper rated...
Spring-Flowering Bulbs to Plant in Late October and November
Spring-Flowering Bulbs to Plant in Late October and November In late October and November earlier in cold zones once soil cools, later in mild zones while ground is still open, spring-flowering bulbs ...
Mums, Ornamental Peppers, and Foliage Plants for a Halloween Porch
Mums, Ornamental Peppers, and Foliage Plants for a Halloween Porch In early October through early November, a Halloween porch leans on garden mums, ornamental peppers, and cool-season foliage kale, ca...
Mums and Fall Containers for Porch Color
Mums and Fall Containers for Porch Color In late September through October into early November in mild zones, garden mums and mixed fall containers deliver reliable porch color while summer annuals fa...
How to Bring Houseplants Indoors Without Bringing in Pests
How to Bring Houseplants Indoors Without Bringing in Pests In late September through November earlier if nights drop into the 50s F, move outdoor-summered houseplants inside only after a short quarant...
Asparagus Crowns for Fall Planting
Asparagus Crowns for Fall Planting In early October through November where soil stays workable - and in milder zones through late autumn - asparagus crowns settle into trenches before winter so spears...
Shallot Sets to Plant in Fall
Shallot Sets to Plant in Fall In late September through early November, shallot sets establish roots while soil is still warm, then rest through winter for a strong spring bulb pull. Plant pointed end...
Onion Sets to Plant in Fall
Onion Sets to Plant in Fall In early October through November in mild zones - and late September into October where winters bite harder - onion sets root quickly in cooling soil and resume strong top ...
Bare-Root Strawberries to Plant in Fall
Bare-Root Strawberries to Plant in Fall In late September through early November, bare-root strawberry plants root in cool soil and build crowns for the next harvest season. Soak roots briefly, plant ...
Blueberry Bushes to Plant in Fall
Blueberry Bushes to Plant in Fall In early October through November and late September where cold arrives early, blueberry bushes planted in acidic, well-drained soil establish roots before winter and...
Raspberry Canes to Plant in Fall
Raspberry Canes to Plant in Fall In late September through November, raspberry canes bare-root or potted settle into moist, well-drained soil and establish before winter. Plant with the crown at soil ...
Fruit Trees to Plant in Fall
Fruit Trees to Plant in Fall In early October through November late September in short-season zones, fruit trees planted while dormant or cooling establish roots before summer heat returns. Dig wide h...
Plug Aerators for Fall Cool-Season Lawns
Plug Aerators for Fall Cool-Season Lawns In early September through October for cool-season lawns - stretching into early November in milder mid zones - a plug aerator pulls cores so air, water, and s...
Wheelbarrows for Garden Hauling
Wheelbarrows for Garden Hauling A garden wheelbarrow moves soil, mulch, compost, and brush in fewer trips than vans or tarps - essential in October-November leaf and mulch season and year-round for be...
Broadcast Spreaders for Fall Overseeding
Broadcast Spreaders for Fall Overseeding In early September through October into early November in milder cool-season belts, a broadcast spreader lays grass seed and fertilizer in even arcs so oversee...
Soaker Hoses for Garden Beds
Soaker Hoses for Garden Beds A soaker hose weeps water along its length so garden beds get deep, even moisture with less leaf wetness than overhead spray - useful from late spring through autumn and c...
Seed Starting Trays and Humidity Domes
Seed Starting Trays and Humidity Domes Seed starting trays with humidity domes keep germination media evenly moist and warm air slightly humid so indoor sowings sprout without daily mist drama. Use ce...
Anvil Loppers for Fall Shrub Pruning
Anvil Loppers for Fall Shrub Pruning In late September through November, anvil loppers power through dead wood and thicker dry stems that hand shears cannot finish cleanly. The blade meets a flat anvi...
Leaf Blowers for Fall Yard Cleanup
Leaf Blowers for Fall Yard Cleanup In late September through November, a leaf blower clears turf, beds, and hardscape so grass is not smothered under wet mats and storm drains stay open. Choose cordle...
Bypass Pruning Shears for Garden Cleanup
Bypass Pruning Shears for Garden Cleanup Bypass pruning shears make clean cuts on live stems for fall garden cleanup, shrub shaping, and deadheading - use them in late September through November for s...
Seedling Heat Mats for Indoor Starting
Seedling Heat Mats for Indoor Starting A seedling heat mat warms root zones so indoor seed starting germinates faster in late winter through spring prep - and anytime you start heat-loving crops indoo...
Drip Irrigation Kits for Raised Beds
Drip Irrigation Kits for Raised Beds A drip irrigation kit for raised beds puts water at the root zone on a timer so foliage stays drier and hand-watering stops owning your evenings. Size emitters or ...
Potting Benches and Potting Stations for Backyard Work
Potting Benches and Potting Stations for Backyard Work A potting bench or potting station gives you waist-height workspace, soil bin storage, and a place to park trays without crouching over the drive...
LED Grow Lights for Seed Starting Indoors
LED Grow Lights for Seed Starting Indoors Full spectrum LED grow lights give seedlings strong, compact growth when windowsills are short on winter light. Hang lights close follow the fixture's distanc...
Raised Garden Bed Kits for Backyard Growing
Raised Garden Bed Kits for Backyard Growing A raised garden bed kit gives you framed soil depth, cleaner edges, and fewer compaction problems than in-ground rows on heavy clay or thin topsoil. Pick he...