Grow Like a Pro: 5 Things to Do in Your Garden This Fall

Fall is the perfect time to give your garden a little attention. As temperatures cool, a few simple tasks now can help your plants stay healthy through winter and get a strong start next spring.

Here are five things to do now to Grow Like a Pro.

1. Adjust Irrigation & Get Ready for Winter Weather

Just because summer is ending doesn’t mean it’s time to immediately turn off the irrigation.

As temperatures cool and days get shorter, plants generally use less water. Deciduous plants will continue to use water until they drop their leaves, while evergreens still need moisture through winter. Start adjusting your summer watering schedule as the weather changes—and remember that rainfall doesn’t reach every part of the garden.

Take some time to:

• Adjust your irrigation. As temperatures cool and rain arrives, reduce watering based on actual soil moisture and rainfall—not just the calendar.
• Don’t forget plants under eaves. Rain may never reach these protected areas, so check the soil and continue watering when needed throughout winter.
• Check drip lines and emitters. Repair leaks and replace clogged or broken emitters. If you irrigate with well water, check emitters regularly, as mineral buildup can cause clogging.
• Keep an eye on newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials. Their roots are still transitioning from the original root ball into the surrounding soil, so make sure water is reaching both. If you’re using drip irrigation, know how many gallons your emitters are actually delivering.
• Make sure you’re watering deeply, not just at the surface. Water slowly, deeply and less often when appropriate to encourage stronger roots and more resilient plants.
• Keep drains clear. Fall leaves and debris can quickly block drains, gutters and runoff areas when the first rains arrive. Clear them before the rainy season and check them regularly to keep water flowing and prevent pooling.

PRO TIP: Let weather—not just the calendar—guide your irrigation. And don’t forget the plants under the eaves; they are easy to overlook during the winter.

2. Take Advantage of Fall Planting

Fall is one of the best times to plant in the North Bay. Cooler temperatures mean less stress on new plants, while warm soil and winter rains help roots get established.

It’s also a great time to take stock of your garden and decide where you’d like to add something new.

Consider:

• Areas you’d like to enhance. Add trees, shrubs or perennials for more structure, color, screening or seasonal interest.
• Evergreens. Add year-round structure and color while taking advantage of favorable fall planting conditions.
• Spring-blooming bulbs. Plant them in fall so they’re ready to put on a show in spring.
• Cool-season vegetables. Fall is a great time to plant cool-season favorites like lettuce, kale, broccoli, chard and other winter vegetables. Our mild North Bay climate allows many of these crops to grow well through the cooler months.
• California natives and pollinator plants. Add plants that provide food and habitat for bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
• Seeds and wildflowers. Fall rains can help get many wildflower seeds off to a natural start.

PRO TIP: Plant in fall to take advantage of cooler weather and winter rains, giving roots more time to establish.

3. Give Your Soil Some Attention

Healthy plants start with healthy soil. After a long, dry summer, fall is a good time to see what your soil needs.

• Soil is hard or water isn’t soaking in? Compaction may be the problem. Loosen the soil where appropriate and add organic compost to improve soil structure and help water reach the roots.
• Mulch is thin or has broken down? Add a fresh layer to help retain moisture, protect the soil and suppress weeds. Keep mulch away from trunks and plant crowns.
• Preparing to plant? Skip the one-size-fits-all approach. Choose quality soil and amendments formulated for the specific job. We use and recommend E.B. Stone because it offers organic-focused options for everything from containers and raised beds to in-ground planting.
• Digging a planting hole? Think wide, not deep. Dig a hole wide enough to give roots room to move into the surrounding soil, while keeping the plant at the proper planting depth.

PRO TIP: Don’t treat all soil the same. Match the amendment to your soil, your plants and what you’re trying to fix.

4. Cut Back Your English Lavender — Think “Upside-Down Bowl”

Late summer into early fall is a good time to trim English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) after flowering.

• Spent blooms? Remove the old flower stems and trim back the green growth.
• Lavender is getting leggy or losing its shape? Prune it into a rounded mound—higher in the center and curving down at the sides. Think upside-down bowl.
• Not sure how far to cut? Always leave green, leafy growth below your cut. Avoid cutting into old, bare wood—lavender may not grow back from it.
• Lavender is already very woody and overgrown? Don’t try to fix it with severe pruning. If there isn’t enough healthy green growth left to reshape it, replacement may be the better option.

PRO TIP: Upside-down bowl + leave some green. That’s the secret to keeping English lavender compact and looking its best.

5. Give Your Citrus a Fall Checkup

Fall is a good time to give your lemons, limes, oranges and other citrus a quick check.

• Leaves are yellow or pale? Your tree may be showing a nutrient deficiency. Check your feeding schedule and use a fertilizer formulated for citrus if feeding is appropriate.
• Seeing pests or damaged leaves? Check leaves and new growth for aphids, scale or mites. Remove minor infestations by hand or with a strong spray of water. For larger problems, choose a treatment specifically labeled for the pest and citrus.
• Dead or damaged branches? Remove dead or broken wood now, but save major pruning for late winter or early spring, after the risk of frost has passed.
• Soil is too dry or too wet? Adjust irrigation as temperatures cool. Water deeply enough to reach the root zone rather than frequently wetting only the surface.
• Mulch is touching the trunk? Pull it back several inches so moisture isn’t sitting against the trunk.

PRO TIP: Don’t fertilize by guesswork. Choose an organic fertilizer formulated for citrus and follow the label for your tree’s size and age—more fertilizer doesn’t mean more fruit.

One More Thing: Take a Walk Through Your Garden

Take a fresh look at your garden. What thrived this summer? What struggled? Where could you use more shade, color, water-wise plants or pollinator habitat?

Fall is a great time to spot opportunities and make changes that will pay off next year.

Ready for Fall?

Stop by Sonoma Valley Nursery to explore our selection of California natives, water-wise plants, trees, shrubs, grasses, perennials and pollinator-friendly varieties, along with soils and amendments for your fall projects.

Happy fall gardening—and Grow Like a Pro!