Next week marks the first day of fall, and there are still a few tasks that can be done before the growing season ends. Fall cleanup and bulb planting can help prepare your yard for a healthy and productive spring.
Here are a few tips for fall cleanup and bulb planting:
- Remove plant debris and rotting fruit from the vegetable garden to help reduce overwintering pests and diseases. Only add healthy plant materials to the compost pile. In perennial beds, leave the leaf litter when the perennials die back as this provides shelter for overwintering pollinators.
- Add a layer of mulch to perennial beds if needed and add a layer of compost to the vegetable garden to help build soil for next year’s growing season.
- Fall is the time of year to plant garlic and spring flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils. Plant bulbs by early to mid-October before the ground freezes. Choose a location with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Follow the recommended planting depth according to the package instruction as this can vary on type of bulb and variety.
The following resources provide additional information on fall cleanup, bulb planting, and garlic:
Planting bulbs, tubers and rhizomes
Fall cleanup in the vegetable garden
References:
Kerr, L. (2022, November 3). Fall yard and garden cleanup tips. Michigan State University. MSU Extension. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/october_gardening_tips
Krans, R. (2016, October 10). Fall cleanup in vegetable gardens. Michigan State University. MSU Extension. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/fall_cleanup_in_vegetable_gardens
Meyer, M. H. (2026). Planting bulbs, tubers, and rhizomes. University of Minnesota Extension. https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/gardening-in-minnesota/planting-bulbs-tubers-and-rhizomes
University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources. (2021). Garlic. University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources. Gardening at USask. https://gardening.usask.ca/gardening-advice/gardenline-nested-pages/food-plant-pages/vegetables/garlic.php