The Dirt

A Gardener’s Checklist for Late Fall

Photo/Illustration: Steve Aitken

Here in New England, frosty nights, flaming maples, and flocks of birds heading south herald the coming of winter, and gardeners turn their attention to tidying up their yards and preparing their plants for cold. There’s a lot of work to do before the ground freezes. Below you’ll find links to articles and videos to help you with late fall gardening.

For more timely gardening information and inspiration, check out the November/December 2019 issue of Fine Gardening (#190).
Six Ways to Make Great Compost
Closed bins, pit composting, open bins, tumblers, piling, or vermicomposting—which method is best for you?  Read more …
Shelter Plants from Winter’s Worst
Winter cover-ups can provide an extra zone or more of warmth. Use them to help late-season transplants get established, to protect recently transplanted evergreens, and to coddle a few choice perennials that would otherwise never survive.  Read more …
Putting Your Borders to Bed
In late fall, you can plant, move, and divide; tidy up your yard and beds; put away pots and tools; and protect vulnerable plants. When you’ve done all that, you can take the winter off, and your garden will be poised to flourish in spring.  Read more …
Video: How to Dig, Divide, and Store Dahlia Tubers
Barbara Pierson of White Flower Farm in Litchfield, Conn., demonstrates the best way to dig, divide, and store dahlia tubers for winter to ensure that you can enjoy their fabulous blooms year after year.  Watch the video …
Video: Preparing Roses for Winter
Nebraska horticulturist John Fech covers the basics of preparing roses for winter, including pruning and mulching.  Watch the video …
Intriguing Bark Enlivens a Winter Scene
Unusual bark characteristics such as bright color, unusual texture, and sheen can draw the eye in a drab landscape.  Read more …
Hellebores Cure the Late-Winter Blues
Plant an assortment of Oriental hellebore hybrids now for a dazzling display early in spring.  Read more … 
Holiday Poinsettias
Where did they come from? What makes them popular? And most important, how can you keep them looking great?  Read more …

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