How to Transition Your Garden From Summer to Fall

September 01, 2023

The summers in Marquette are some of the best, but we all know they are fleeting. It may feel like your garden is just starting to thrive, but it is already time to start considering the steps you need to take to prepare your garden for the shift from summer to fall. Especially here in the UP, the weather can be unpredictable as we move from summer to fall. The better prepared you can be, the better you can ensure a vibrant garden come next summer.

Tips for Preparing Your Garden for Fall

While there is still plenty of summer to enjoy, these tips will help you develop a plan before the weather gets chilly. Tips to keep in mind include:

When it comes to your garden, weeding is a must through the summer as well as into the fall. Weeds can consume the water and nutrients that your plants need to succeed. Mulch is a great tool for suppressing weeds and keeping the sunlight from drying out your soil.

Prune your annuals and perennials. Also referred to as deadheading, removing dead flower heads can encourage future growth. It also makes your garden look beautiful for longer when you remove any dead, bloomed flowers. This process can also help minimize the appeal your garden has for unwanted pests.

Plant fall-friendly flowers. There is no reason why summer gets all the attention when it comes to beautiful blooms. If you want your garden to continue looking its best, consider removing summer annuals once they have bloomed and replacing them with fall-friendly options. This includes plants such as mums, pansies, and verbena.

Grow fall vegetables. Much like the concept of flowers, there is no reason your garden has to stop producing something wonderful just because the weather is turning colder. If you want to continue to get the most from your garden, consider planting fall-friendly vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, kale, carrots, radishes, and beets.

Plant trees and shrubs. If you’ve been looking for the right time to spruce up your exterior, the transition from summer to fall is the ideal time to plant trees and shrubs to give them the best chance to thrive. The soil is warm enough to ensure that roots can firmly establish themselves. You’ll want to make sure to get them planted sooner than later. By the first frost, it is likely too late for them to properly acclimate for the winter ahead.

Reposition perennials. Perennials are a great touch to any garden when it comes to vibrance and color. However, these flowers can become overcrowded which can impact the garden’s ability to thrive. As the weather starts to cool, divide your perennials and transplant them to other locations in your garden.

Get Ready for Fall at Flower Works

We love being located in an area that fully enjoys the highs of every season. Summer and fall can be the most beautiful time of year, especially with a thriving garden. If you need tips for getting your garden ready, or you want to explore what we have to offer, stop in or visit our website.