Flowerbed Maintenance to Do in the Fall

I'm constantly getting messages asking how to prepare a flowerbed for winter, including what to clean up and trim back in the fall. I totally get that it feels nice to clean up and cut plants back. The best advice I can give is: less is more! If you read no further, as a general rule, most items should not be touched in the fall.

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WHAT TO DO:

Plants that die back to the ground, like peonies and many perennials, can be cut back once their foliage starts to fade. I cut back my peonies and compost the debris.

While cutting back, I also give my flowerbeds a final weeding. This gives a head start for a weed-free spring. My beds are all mulched and I leave any fallen tree leaves to add protection over the winter.

WHAT TO AVOID:

The temptation to prune and shape boxwood, or other evergreens, can be harmful. Pruning spurs growth and late growth that is not hardened off is likely to burn over the winter and turn brown.

Other shrubs like hydrangeas are best to leave alone until spring. Whether a hydrangea should be trimmed is determined by what variety they are. Before you do any trimming, make sure to research your type.

Overall, I leave most clean up until spring. During hard winters, the debris from plant material helps insulate plants and insects.

This is one of those times where you can sit back, relax, and put the pruner away!

#gardentip #gardenknowhow #gardener #iowagarden #zone5garden

[kikidee]

0:59 Mah Peonies.

I can tell I’m going to love this channel.

[sammysworld]

Wyse please do a tutorial on how & what fertilizer you use in the Spring to help your shrubs & plants. Love your videos on gardening. TY!

[congyingzizhang]

I started watching your channel yesterday and I like your style of gardening and making the video. I like how you cut the chase and jump to the things you want to teach/talk about. As a home gardener, with limited budget and knowledge, I appreciate how simple you make the content for me to consume and execute. Well done!

[veravalo]

I don't do much in the fall either, except break my back putting in spring bulbs! I definitely leave the hydrangeas, I like the brown pom poms in the winter. Also, in the spring you can better asses the frost damage (hi I'm in Canada) and have a better idea which branches to trim down and where leaf nodes will be. :) Happy fall everyone.

[robertdonnelly]

My wife been watching you for a bit. And now when I hear ur voice I'm like..."whats he doing now!?" Lol....but we are going to start gardening soon very small. Each of us with one 17" high raised planter mainly because were older & our backs dont want to hurt. But can you tell us how we should fill our planters from bottom to top? Or just topsoil?

[bdaypartyspanish]

Good tips. Thank you!
I did minimal pruning, my peonies too, and a bit of transferring but I'm really confused when to trim my hollys?

[susanpennington]

I love watching your shows! You are adorable! But some videos are like a very small square on the tv screen… some are not! What is happening with that? Thanks

[missesmaree]

love the video, learned new things! also love the surprise kitty guest! :)

[ivoneveloza]

Hi I like to know how to trim a rosemary plant and if you could save them for winter by freezing or other ways??

[shellykempf]

What do you do with your strawberry bed? Just lay down straw?