Fall Care for a Flower Bed
- 1). Remove any annuals from the flower bed such as marigolds, pansies and mums once they have died back by digging up the root system using a hand trowel. Compost annuals that died back naturally and discard any flowers that were diseased during the growing season.
- 2). Dig up tender bulbs for storage indoors for any plants you grew that cannot survive cold temperatures such as dahlias, gladioli or cannas. If you don't want to keep the bulbs for next year, then leave them in the ground to die off.
- 3). Cut back with hand pruners any dead growth of your perennial flowers that is brown, woody or wilted as well as any spent flowers that have dried. Leave intact any portions of the perennials that still appear green.
- 4). Scrape over the upper inch of soil around the base of your remaining plants using a garden rake or cultivator to disturb and remove any weeds that will spread as your plants rest. Avoid digging into the roots of your perennials. Rake away any dead limbs, leaves or disturbed weeds from the surface of the bed.
- 5). Plant into the bed any spring bulbs such as tulips or hyacinths you want to add to the bed.
- 6). Spread 1 to 2 inches of compost over the soil to add nutrients to the bed and cover over any bulbs if you planted them. Work the compost around the base of your perennials carefully to avoid breaking any living stems.
- 7). Add 2 to 4 inches of mulch over the compost and around the base of your plants after the first frost of fall hits to lock in remaining heat for the winter. Don't add mulch before the first frost or the soil may be too hot for plants to fully go dormant.
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