Seasonal Guides

Before planting a fall garden, clear spent plants, loosen soil and add compost. University of Illinois Extension advises leaving pruning until later.

A Gardening Know How report warns that seven plants may be vulnerable to cold, wet winter soil and outlines drainage and frost-protection steps.

A disease-by-disease checklist for sorting spent tomato vines into a home compost pile, municipal yard-waste program or trash.

A Gardener’s Path report outlines four steps for overwintering strawberries: renovate, fertilize, water and mulch at the right time.

A Gardening Know How report outlines six October care steps for lemons, from checking ripeness and pests to preparing trees for colder nights.

Testing after harvest can give gardeners time to review soil results and plan spring work—if samples represent each bed and amendments wait for evidence.

A Gardener’s Path guide lists 25 plants that can bloom in winter, from camellias and crocuses to cyclamen and winter daphne.

Cosmos, zinnias, dahlias, repeat-flowering roses and calendula may produce more flowers after October deadheading, while mild weather lasts.

Shorter days and cooler nights slow chlorophyll production, revealing leaf pigments. Weather and species affect the timing and intensity of fall color.

An October pruning guide covers asparagus, dahlias, raspberries and other plants, with timing that depends on frost, growth and plant type.