Late summer gardening may not have the glamour of spring planting, but it’s a powerful time to set your landscape up for success. A little effort now means healthier plants, fewer weeds, and a more vibrant garden come spring. Here are some key tasks to tackle in your landscape before fall fully sets in:
- Lawn Maintenance While lawns get plenty of attention in summer, fall is the best time to rejuvenate tired turf. Core aeration helps break through thatch and compacted soil, improving air and water flow to the roots.
- Reseeding bare or thin areas is ideal now—warm soil and cool air create perfect conditions for cool-season grasses. Use high-quality seed, follow recommended rates, and keep soil moist for successful germination.
- Keep Weeding Annual weeds are working hard to produce seeds—don’t let them! Removing seed heads now means fewer weeds next year. Be mindful: some seed heads feed songbirds in winter, so consider leaving a few for wildlife. Fall is also ideal for tackling perennial weeds like dandelions and creeping Charlie. Systemic herbicides are more effective now as plants move nutrients to their roots. Always follow label instructions carefully.
- Order and Plant Spring Bulbs Late September through mid-October is prime time to plant bulbs like crocus, daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths. These bulbs need a chilling period to bloom, which Midwest winters naturally provide. Tip: Plant in clusters or masses for the most striking spring displays.
- Divide Perennials If your favorite perennials are looking tired, it might be time to divide them. Fall is perfect for dividing plants like peonies, iris, hostas, and daylilies. Choose a cool, cloudy day. Dig up the plant, remove excess soil, and divide using hands, a knife, or a garden fork. Keep divisions moist and shaded until replanting.
- Refresh Mulch Around Prized Plants Mulch applied in spring has done its job—but it may need a refresh. Reapply natural mulch (wood chips, straw, leaf litter) to protect roots from winter temperature swings and conserve moisture. Aim for a total depth of about four inches. Wait until plants are dormant before mulching to avoid disrupting their natural cycle.
Fall garden maintenance today will help make the spring season even brighter.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.