Fall to-do list

[Anonymous]

I was a long time renter and container gardener but finally have some real property. The backyard is completely overgrown as it was a rental property and I didn't buy until late July. I'm trimming things like Azaleas and privet that I can't really hurt but am looking forward to the fall and trying to figure out what I can do to clean up the garden and plan ahead for the Spring. Just curious what most people do with the fall. I'm planning on planting some bulbs but am going to hold off on new trees and shrubs until next year so I get a real sense of what's under all this creeper vine. We have bamboo so I know that's going to be a big project in the Spring. I like the look but there's way too much of it. Eventually I'm going to plant a raised vegetable, flower, and maybe tea bed but that won't be until the spring. I'm looking for suggestions for things I can start doing now and into the fall to prep for next spring and summer. What are your fall chores and projects?

[Anonymous]

Also do any of the local gardens have annual sales? I used to live in Brooklyn and the BBG had an amazing once a year sale. Is there anything like that here?

[Anonymous]

Here you go, OP, courtesy of the Frederick, MD Master Gardeners:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_docs/locations/frederick_county/MG%20Gardener%20Guide%20MD%202-12.pdf

For plant sales, try your local nature centers, Master Gardener offices, public gardens (like Brookside), native plant societies, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here you go, OP, courtesy of the Frederick, MD Master Gardeners:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_docs/locations/frederick_county/MG%20Gardener%20Guide%20MD%202-12.pdf

For plant sales, try your local nature centers, Master Gardener offices, public gardens (like Brookside), native plant societies, etc.

Thank you so much! Great guide.

[Anonymous]

I would get some compost/leaf-gro and try to mix it in anywhere you think you might be planting new trees, bushes, etc in the spring. Improving the soil is the most boring, but most important long-term task. If you have the space, pick a corner to compost your leaves.
For bulbs I would largely stick to varieties of daffodil bulbs. The deer eat the tulips on my street (in NW DC), but don't care for the daffodils. They come up year after year too. The crocus and snowdrops are nice, and largely ignored by the deer (have to plant them deeply or the squirrels will dig them up!).
Fall is the best time to plant bushes and trees around here - if you do it in the spring be sure to have a good watering system set up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would get some compost/leaf-gro and try to mix it in anywhere you think you might be planting new trees, bushes, etc in the spring. Improving the soil is the most boring, but most important long-term task. If you have the space, pick a corner to compost your leaves.
For bulbs I would largely stick to varieties of daffodil bulbs. The deer eat the tulips on my street (in NW DC), but don't care for the daffodils. They come up year after year too. The crocus and snowdrops are nice, and largely ignored by the deer (have to plant them deeply or the squirrels will dig them up!).
Fall is the best time to plant bushes and trees around here - if you do it in the spring be sure to have a good watering system set up.

Going to wait until next fall for any shrubs and trees. I want to be in the yard for a year before I start doing the bigger projects. I also need to trim a TON of stuff back to figure out what light and space I have.
We don't have deer but we do have rabbits. Love snow drops and crocus. Was going to wait in composting until the spring but forgot about leaves! No time like the present.