Are You Prepared For Fall?

Fall is upon us!

As summer fades into the background and we turn the corner into fall, you might be tempted to think your gardening tasks can take a little break. However, in the world of gardening, there’s always something to be done, no matter the season. With the recent cooler mornings and evenings, it’s got us planning and pondering our next moves.

Now is an opportune moment to tidy up any crops that have run their course and are no longer yielding (think zucchinis, raspberries, and the like). If your experience aligns with ours, some of our garden beds have seen better days, with once-thriving plants now reduced to dried leaves and stems.

Additionally, it’s time to shift your focus toward garlic. October is the ideal window for planting garlic bulbs in your garden. If you didn’t save any from your last harvest, now’s the time to source quality garlic bulbs for the next season.

Autumn happens to be one of our favourite seasons (as our friends down South might say, “it’s fall, y’all!”). It’s the perfect season to set up your kitchen and general gardens for a successful upcoming year!

Tasks you can do at home this fall!

Here’s a checklist of essential tasks to get your garden ready for fall and ensure you stay ahead of the game:

Task 1 – Tidying Up Beds: Begin by giving your garden beds a thorough cleanup. Remove any plants that are past their prime or have finished yielding. This includes dead or dying vegetation. You can choose to compost these discarded materials or shred them for adding organic matter to your soil. Fallen leaves can also be used for this purpose, although it might be a tad early for that!

Task 2 – Garlic Planning: Start planning your garlic planting. Calculate how many garlic heads you’ll need for the upcoming season. Last year, we planted enough garlic to save 40 heads for this fall’s planting. If you’re new to garlic cultivation, this is an ideal time to source garlic heads from local growers. There are various garlic varieties to explore, and local growers can offer valuable guidance. For reference, in our 9’x3′ bed, we plant 5 rows of garlic spaced 4-5″ apart for each head. This should give you a rough estimate of how much you’ll need.

Task 3 – Reflect and Record: Take some time to reflect on the successes and challenges you’ve encountered during the growing season. Compile notes about what worked well and what didn’t while these experiences are fresh in your mind. A Sunday afternoon is a perfect moment for this contemplation. These notes will serve as a valuable resource for preparing for the next season, guiding your research and learning during the winter months. Gardening is an ongoing journey of learning and improvement.

These tasks are relatively straightforward and will help you maintain an organized and productive garden. If you have additional fall gardening tasks or tips to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s open a dialogue and exchange ideas!

5 Key Takeaways

Tidy Up and Remove Spent Plants: Clear your garden beds of any plants that have finished producing or are wilting. Removing dead or dying vegetation prevents the spread of diseases and pests, and it prepares the soil for new plantings.

Plan for Garlic Planting: Determine how much garlic you want to grow and order or source your garlic bulbs accordingly. October is typically the ideal time for planting garlic. Plan your planting beds and spacing to accommodate your garlic crop.

Take Garden Notes: Reflect on the past growing season and take detailed notes on what worked and what didn’t. This evaluation will help you make informed decisions for the next growing season and improve your gardening skills.

Prepare for Leaf Cleanup: As fall progresses, leaves will start to fall. Consider how you’ll manage this organic material. You can use fallen leaves for composting, mulch, or as a soil amendment. Preparing for leaf cleanup ahead of time can save you effort later.

Research and Plan: Use the fall season to research and plan for the next year. Explore new plant varieties, gardening techniques, or strategies to improve your garden’s productivity and resilience. The more you learn during the offseason, the more successful your next growing season is likely to be.

These takeaways will help you transition your garden smoothly from summer to fall and set the stage for a successful gardening season ahead.

What’s next?

Now that the vibrant colours of summer are transitioning into the warm hues of fall, it’s the perfect time to turn your thoughts toward the kitchen garden of your dreams for the coming year. The planning phase is where the magic begins, and we’re here to help you make it a reality.

We’re excited to announce that we are now accepting design consultation appointments for the upcoming gardening season (2024). To ensure that you receive the personalized attention you deserve, we’re limiting our design consultation slots to four clients per month until March. These sessions are incredibly popular and tend to fill up quickly, so securing your spot as soon as possible is essential.

Our design consultations are a unique opportunity to collaborate with us. Whether you’re dreaming of a beautiful kitchen garden layout, seeking construction services, or looking for a tailored plan, our team is dedicated to making your vision come to life.

Additionally, don’t forget to stay connected with us on social media. Our platforms are brimming with gardening insights, exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses, and real-time updates. We cherish the opportunity to engage with our gardening community and learn from your individual gardening journeys. Join our ever-growing family of plant enthusiasts on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

Don’t hesitate to reach out and start the conversation today. Share your gardening aspirations, ask questions, and let us guide you towards transforming your vision into a flourishing reality. We’re honored to be a part of your kitchen garden success story!

We are here to help you achieve your gardening goals! Reach out with any questions that might come up throughout your journey. 

We are excited to announce that there are some new DIY plans on our Etsy store. Whether you need some more storage in the garden, are looking to spruce up your curb appeal or are looking for a new way to grow your tomatoes, we have something for you!

Check it out here – https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WillowLaneGardenCo

Best regards,

Tessa & Kyle
Willow Lane Garden Co.

P.S. Tag us in your garden photos and stories on social media. We’d love to see your green thumb in action!