7 Totally Easy Fall Garden Tips for Lazy Homeowners (Because Winter is Coming)

Alright, plant parents, let’s face it—summer’s over, and so are your poolside margaritas. But your garden? Yeah, it still needs some love before winter rolls in like a grumpy cat. Don’t worry, though. We’ve got you covered with these super simple (and slightly fun) fall garden tips. Let’s get your plants ready to take a long, cozy nap so they can wake up in the spring, thriving like they just got back from a spa retreat. 🌱🍂

Here’s the deal: Bulbs need separating, bushes need a haircut, and grasses—well, they’re just doing their thing. Follow along, and you’ll be the most prepared gardener in town (or at least on your street).

Source: The Spruce

1. Bulb Drama: Dig ‘Em Up, Then Put ‘Em Back

If your garden had a reality show, bulbs would be the divas. Summer bulbs like dahlias need to be dug up and put in storage (because they’re too fancy for winter), while spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils are ready to go underground and wait for their big spring debut. It’s like planting flower fireworks for later.

Hot Tip: Plant them three times deeper than their height. Think of it like tucking them into a cozy blanket of soil, but don’t forget to add a little mulch for extra snuggles.

2. Give Your Shrubs a Fall Glow-Up

Time for your perennials and bushes to get their fall trim—just like when you cut your bangs after a bad week. Cut back plants like hostas and daylilies to keep things fresh. Plus, it’ll stop them from throwing a disease party during winter. Nobody wants that.

Don’t Prune Too Early: Hold off until the first frost, unless you’re into encouraging new growth that’ll freeze faster than your enthusiasm for fall diets.

3. Grasses: Let Them Party All Winter

Ornamental grasses don’t need much from you right now. You can either let them do their thing and sway in the winter wind like some peaceful Instagram boho garden vibe, or you can chop them back in the spring. Your choice.

Pro Tip: Snow sitting on tall grasses? Instant winter garden chic.

4. Mulch: The Cozy Blanket Your Plants Deserve

Imagine it’s winter, and your plants are begging for a blanket. That’s where mulch comes in. Spread it around your plants, bushes, and trees to lock in moisture and give them a layer of protection from winter’s mood swings. Trust us, they’ll thank you later.

Got sensitive plants? Wrap ‘em in burlap or give them a frost cover. No one wants frostbite before spring.

5. Winterize Your Vegetable Garden (Yes, Even If You’re Over It)

We know, you’re tired from harvesting all those veggies you totally didn’t let rot on the vine. Now’s the time to clean up your vegetable garden. Rip out dead plants to keep pests and diseases from making your garden their winter Airbnb. Spread some compost or mulch over the soil to make next year’s veggies extra tasty.

Feeling Extra? Plant cold-hardy crops like kale. It’s the green smoothie of the gardening world—nutritious but kinda boring.

6. Your Lawn Needs a Spa Day, Too

Fall is prime time to treat your lawn like the lush, green carpet it was always meant to be. Aerate, overseed, and fertilize so your grass gets strong roots to survive the cold. Keep mowing until it stops growing, but raise your mower blades a bit to leave the grass longer for winter protection. Think of it like layering sweaters for your lawn.

7. Tidy Up and Put Your Garden to Bed

Alright, time to Marie Kondo your garden. Clean your tools, wrap up hoses, and cover any plants that need extra love. You’re basically setting your garden up for a sweet winter hibernation, so it can wake up ready to thrive next year.

Pro Tip: Keep a garden journal so you can laugh at what you got wrong and improve your strategy for next season.

Why Fall Garden Prep Matters (So You Don’t Regret It Later)

Look, we get it. Gardening takes effort, and by fall, you’re probably ready to trade in your trowel for a remote and some Netflix. But trust us—getting your garden ready for winter means fewer headaches in the spring. It’s like pre-gaming for your future garden party.

Need more garden tips or curious about how to green up your home? Check out our blog on Green Roofs: 5 Ways This Trendy Upgrade Could Be Perfect for Your Home. Or, if you’re into saving money (who isn’t?), take a peek at Pigybak and get deals on home services with your neighbors.

Because hey, why not garden smarter, not harder? 🌱