Fall Garden Checklist
Contributed by Jolene Ottosen for the Chaparral Green Thumbs
Let your plants and the weather be your guide—not just the calendar!
As the growing season winds down, it’s time to think about putting our gardens to bed. This checklist follows a general timeline, but remember: Calgary’s weather can be unpredictable, so adjust based on what’s happening in your own yard.
September
• Collect seeds and harvest herbs for drying.
• Add compost or well-aged manure to garden beds.
• Plant new trees and shrubs (allow about six weeks for roots to establish).
• Divide and replant overgrown perennials.
• Begin planting spring-flowering bulbs (see list below).
• Clean bird feeders and garden tools.
• Continue watering trees and shrubs until the ground freezes.
• Bring in clay pots before frost.
• Pot up tender herbs such as basil, oregano, and rosemary.
• Pull weeds before they go to seed.
October
• Fertilize your lawn (compost is a great option!).
• Transplant shrubs or young trees.
• Remove diseased perennial growth (do not compost—use the black bin).
• Rake and compost leaves or mulch them for garden beds.
• Clean up garden debris and fallen fruit.
• Consider seeding cool-weather vegetables for a fall crop.
• Remove dead annuals after frost.
• Cut back perennials, leaving seed heads for birds.
• Keep watering trees and shrubs.
• Sharpen mower blades and pruners.
• Trim tall grass near trees and buildings.
• Mulch hardy perennial herbs such as chives, sage, and thyme.
• Dig up and store tender bulbs (e.g., dahlia, canna, gladiolus).
• Turn off outdoor water and drain hoses.
November
• Continue watering trees and shrubs until freeze-up.
• Turn off and drain all outdoor water connections.
• Purchase bulbs to force indoors for winter blooms.
• Wrap fruit tree trunks to protect them from sunscald and wildlife damage.
• Mulch rose bushes.
• Clear leaves from gutters and downspouts.
December
• Start paperwhites or amaryllis indoors for a burst of winter cheer.
Fall Planting Guide
Spring-Flowering Bulbs
Daffodil, Grape hyacinth, Siberian squill, Allium, Fritillaria, Dog’s-tooth violet, Glory-of-the-snow, Winter aconite, Snowdrop
Fall-Planted Vegetables
Garlic (must be planted in fall!), onions, shallots, broad beans, peas, asparagus, spinach, Swiss chard, spring cabbage
Adapted from: Landscape Ontario Fall Gardening Checklist
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