When summer nights start to cool down, it’s a sign that it’s time to prepare your garden for fall. Our Master Landscapers share their top tips to ensure a flourishing garden come next spring.

Aerate and Overseed the Lawn

For a green and healthy lawn, start by aerating the soil. Use tools that perforate the ground to allow water and nutrients to penetrate more deeply. Then, generously overseed. Fall is ideal for this step, as the cooler temperatures encourage seed germination.

©Getty Images

Clean and Prune Plants

Remove dead annuals and trim back the faded stems of perennials. This not only gives your garden a clean and tidy appearance, but it also helps prepare your plants to better withstand winter.

©Getty Images

Protect Water Features

To prevent dead leaves from clogging pools and fountains, partially drain them until leaf fall is complete. Then, clean them thoroughly before refilling for the winter.

©Getty Images

Plant Bulbs and Test the Soil

Plant your spring bulbs in September so they can benefit from the warm soil and autumn rains. This is also the perfect time to analyze your soil and correct any nutrient deficiencies before spring arrives.

©Getty Images

Prepare the Vegetable Garden

Harvest cold-sensitive vegetables and enrich your soil with compost. Mulch around perennials to protect them from frost, and don’t overlook hardy crops like carrots, which can be harvested later in the season.

©Getty Images

Maintain Flower Beds

Remove weeds, divide and transplant overcrowded perennials, and mulch any bare areas. After the first frost, cut back your perennials and continue watering until the ground is frozen.

©G.T.L Paysagiste

Care for the Lawn

Rake fallen leaves, lower your mowing height to 5 cm, and apply a fall fertilizer. This will help your lawn withstand the harsh winter conditions.

©G.T.L Paysagiste

Tend to Trees and Shrubs

Prune dead branches, water conifers and evergreen plants thoroughly, and apply compost around the base of trees to provide essential nutrients before winter sets in.

©Getty Images