A simple order of operations for closing down the garden before the first hard frost — and what can safely wait until spring.
Do this before the first hard frost
- Drain and disconnect garden hoses, and store them somewhere they won't freeze and crack.
- Bring in or cover any tender potted plants that won't survive freezing temperatures.
- Clean and dry hand tools before storing them for winter, to keep them from rusting.
- Cut back dead perennial growth and add a layer of mulch over the root zones.
Worth doing, but less urgent
- Aerating and fertilizing the lawn in early fall.
- Cleaning and storing outdoor furniture and cushions.
- Sharpening pruners and shears before putting them away for the season.
What can wait until spring
Major pruning of most trees and shrubs, dividing perennials, and any structural garden work are usually better left until growth resumes in spring rather than rushed in the fall.
Spreading it over six weekends
Doing a little each weekend — rather than trying to fit everything into one long day — keeps the work manageable and easier to actually finish before the weather turns.