Insights, Tips, and Tales

Tips for Preparing Your Garden for Fall

_ëîé_1

Tips for Preparing Your Garden for Fall

Get a jump on the season and prepare your garden for fall. From soil prep and what to plant, even how to protect your bountiful harvest from pests, the following tips from the experts at Waynes will help you get your garden ready for the new season.

Soil Prep

Test the Soil

Soil with the wrong pH levels and lack of critical nutrients can leave lawns and gardens lacking. Check with Waynes about getting your soil tested. It’s a good idea to do so about every three years to make sure your soil has the correct pH and nutrient levels.

Till Your Soil

Tilling will help break up compacted soil and kill weeds. You could use a shovel, but a garden tiller will get the job done much more quickly and will require a lot less effort on your part. But whatever tool you use, turn and loosen the soil from eight to twelve inches deep. Make sure to dispose of debris like rocks and large roots. (If the latter are from your previous crop – in other words, aren’t weeds – chunk them in your compost pile.)

Add Nutrients

Most gardens will need a boost of organic matter at least once a year. And if you’ve had your soil tested recently, you’ll have a better idea exactly what to add. Typical additives include nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), as well as lime to raise pH or calcium to lower it. If possible, go organic for nutrient needs, using composted kitchen waste or manure (which feeds the soil for longer-term health), instead of fertilizer (which feeds the plants in the short term).

Water

Water is necessary throughout the lifecycle of your crop, but be sure to irrigate your garden thoroughly after adding nutrients to allow them to percolate through the soil. Also, be sure that your garden has good drainage. Most vegetables, fruits, and herbs don’t grow well in standing water or overly wet soil.

Begin Planting

Have you thought about what you want to plant in your fall garden? A few good vegetables for a fall garden include:

  • Lettuce
  • Collard greens
  • Mustard greens
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Raddish

Once you decide what you want to grow this fall, start planting seeds in trays or small pots six weeks before you plan to transplant them into the garden. You can keep the trays inside under a grow light or in a greenhouse, or outside in a space protected from harsh weather and squirrels looking to bury snacks for the coming winter. Wait about two weeks after tilling and adding nutrients before transferring seedlings into the garden.

Pest Prevention

Pests are a common problem in gardens, whether it’s winter, summer, spring, or fall. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your plants from being harmed.

  • Herbs give off a strong smell that will deter pests from your garden. In warmer climates, plant mint, basil, and lavender in your garden as a bug repellent.
  • No matter the season, neem oil is often used as a pesticide and works against caterpillars, nematodes, locusts, aphids, Japanese beetles, and mites. As a bonus, neem oil fights off fungi, such as mildews.
  • Placing insect mesh over your garden will create a barrier that will help prevent birds, squirrels, and other interlopers from damaging the fruits of your labor.

Call Waynes

If there is any reason stopping you from planting a flourishing fall garden it can be overcome. If your soil seems less than healthy, or your garden is covered with insects and other maladies, Waynes can get you back on track. We offer insect and disease management, as well as soil testing. Contact us today for more information on how we can help.

Latest from Waynes Blog

Waynes Joins Forces with Donnie’s Total Pride Pest Control in Port St. Joe, FL

We’re excited to share some big news—Waynes Pest Control is expanding our service in the Florida Panhandle! We’ve officially joined forces with Donnie’s Total Pride Pest Control, a trusted, family-owned company that has served Port St. Joe, Florida and surrounding areas for over 30 years. This partnership brings together two companies that share a passion…

Learn More >

how to prevent ants in your home

Stop Ants in Their Tracks—How to Keep Ants Out Of Your House: 7 Quick Tips

Ants might be tiny, but they can become a big nuisance fast. Whether it’s a few scouts in your pantry or a full trail marching into your kitchen, these pests can quickly overstay their welcome if the conditions are right. Why Do I Have Ants in My House? Here in the Southeast, with our warm,…

Learn More >

What’s That Weed in My Yard?

Summer is prime growing season — not just for grass, but for weeds too. In the Southeast, lawns with warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine are especially vulnerable to a surge of weeds when heat and humidity rise. If you’ve spotted patchy invaders in your yard, now’s the time to take action to…

Learn More >

Huntsville family standing in front of their home after a pest control service

Most Common Household Pests in Huntsville (and How to Stop Them)

Huntsville, Alabama, with its beautiful landscapes and vibrant community, is a fantastic place to call home. However, like many regions in the southeastern United States, homeowners here often find themselves in an ongoing battle against unwanted guests: household pests. Understanding the common culprits and knowing how to address them is key to maintaining a comfortable…

Learn More >

Waynes team member with client

Top Questions to Ask a Huntsville Pest Control Company

At Waynes Pest Control, we understand that inviting a Huntsville pest control company into your home is a significant decision. You’re entrusting us with the safety and comfort of your family and the protection of your property. That’s why we believe in transparency and open communication. Just as you’d research any important service, it’s wise to…

Learn More >

How to Tell if You Have Raccoons or Squirrels in Your Home

Raccoons or Squirrels in Your Home? Here’s How to Tell — and Why DIY Wildlife Removal Is a Risky Move Is Something Wild Living in Your Home? As temperatures rise and food becomes more abundant, raccoons, squirrels, and other wildlife become increasingly active — and sometimes that means moving into your home. Attics, crawl spaces,…

Learn More >

Waynes Lawn Care is Available in the Gulf Coast!

For years, Waynes has been trusted to keep lawns lush, green, and barefoot good across our service areas. Now, we’re bringing our expert lawn care program to the Gulf Coast! With over 8,000 properties already enjoying the benefits of our year-round lawn care program, homeowners across Alabama Gulf Coast and the Florida Panhandle can now…

Learn More >

Introducing EnviroPest Bundles

Home maintenance can feel like a lot — but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we created EnviroPest Bundles at Waynes Pest Control. These bundles let you pick the services your home needs, so you only pay for what you want. Bundling also means less paperwork, fewer service providers, and a simpler, more convenient…

Learn More >

Protect Yourself from Misleading Pest Control Sales

At Waynes Pest Control, we pride ourselves on delivering honest, expert service that families can trust. Unfortunately, not all companies play by the same rules — especially when it comes to door-to-door sales. What’s Happening During warmer months, some national pest control companies send large teams of door-to-door salespeople into neighborhoods. These reps are often…

Learn More >

Scroll to Top