The October Garden Walk: Five Questions to Ask Before Winter

October is one of the best times to slow down and take a fresh look at your landscape. Before leaves fall, perennials disappear and this year’s successes and disappointments become harder to remember, take a walk around the yard and look at it with next season in mind.

Here are five questions to ask as you make your October garden walk.

1. What Worked Especially Well This Year?

Start with the successes. Which perennials flowered longer than expected? Which shrubs looked good throughout the season? Did a particular container combination thrive?

Take a few photos and make notes now. These are the plants and ideas worth repeating, dividing or expanding next year.

2. Where Are the Gaps?

October makes it easier to spot areas that could use improvement. Maybe a garden bed has plenty of spring and summer interest but very little fall color. Perhaps a foundation planting needs more structure, or a corner of the yard looks empty once summer flowers fade.

Fall is an excellent planting season for many trees, shrubs and perennials. The soil is still relatively warm while cooler air temperatures reduce stress on newly planted material. Stop by Wyman’s Garden Center in Hanson and we can help you find plants that fill those gaps now or help you plan for spring.

3. Which Plants Struggled—and Why?

Not every plant that struggled needs to be replaced.

Consider what may have happened. Was the location too sunny or too shady? Did the soil stay too wet or become too dry? Did nearby plants grow larger and change the conditions?

Understanding why a plant struggled can prevent you from simply replacing it with something that encounters the same problem.

4. What Needs Attention Before Winter?

Your walk can also become a simple fall maintenance checklist.

Look for newly planted trees and shrubs that may need continued watering, tender containers that need protection, damaged branches that should be addressed, and garden areas where weeds can be removed before they go to seed.

Avoid feeling that everything needs to be cut back and cleaned up immediately. Some perennial stems and seed heads provide winter interest and can also offer food and shelter for birds and beneficial wildlife.

5. What Would Make the Garden Better Next Year?

Finally, forget maintenance for a moment and think about enjoyment.

Would you like more flowers for pollinators? More fall color? A flowering tree you can see from the kitchen window? Better screening around a patio? A garden that requires less maintenance?

Write down two or three ideas while they are fresh in your mind. You don’t need a complete landscape plan. A few observations made now can provide a very useful starting point when spring arrives.

Bring Your Questions to Wyman’s

If your October walk leaves you wondering what to plant, move, divide, protect or improve, bring your questions to Wyman’s Garden Center. Our team can help you choose plants and products suited to your landscape and our southeastern Massachusetts growing conditions.

And remember—there is still time to plant. Fall’s cooler temperatures and warm soil can make October an excellent opportunity to make improvements that will already be in place when spring arrives.

October Garden Walk FAQs

Is October too late to plant?
No. Many trees, shrubs and perennials can be successfully planted in fall as long as the ground remains workable. Newly planted material should continue to receive adequate water until the ground freezes.

Should I cut back all my perennials in fall?
Not necessarily. Healthy stems and seed heads can provide winter interest and habitat. Diseased or badly damaged plant material is generally better removed.

Should I keep watering in October?
Yes, when conditions are dry—particularly for trees, shrubs and perennials planted this year. Good hydration before winter can help plants handle cold weather and drying winter winds.

Is fall a good time to plan next year’s garden?
It’s one of the best times. You can still see where plants are growing, where gaps exist and which areas need more color, structure or screening.

What should I bring to Wyman’s if I need help?
Photos are extremely useful. Take a few wide shots of the area along with closer photos of any plants or problems you’re concerned about. Knowing approximately how much sun the area receives is helpful too.