10 Tasks to Tackle in Your Late-Fall Garden

1. Embrace Nature

Resist the impulse to cut everything back in fall. Let your plants, especially the native species, continue their natural cycles. Bare branches and seed heads add structure and interest to a winter garden, whether someone is outside enjoying it or taking in the view from inside.

Letting plants stand up over winter also provides shelter and food for birds, insects and other wildlife. You may be surprised by the winter activity you see from your window.

2. Maintain as Needed

Keep on top of garden maintenance even as you relax your winter cleanup approach. Remove dead or weak branches from trees and shrubs to prevent them from breaking off and causing damage during storms. You’ll also want to remove any rotting stems on herbaceous perennials, and any diseased foliage.

Replace fading annuals with cool-season choices — especially in warm-winter areas — to keep some pops of color in your landscape. Remove and compost any remaining warm-season annual edibles and herbs. Prune back woody herbs that can handle the cold, such as rosemary and thyme, by about two-thirds to prepare them for winter. To eke out the last of the harvest, dry any herbs and preserve the last of any fruits and vegetables.

Are there annuals and annual edibles, such as tomatoes, that you love having in your garden? Before you move them to the compost pile, gather some seeds to get started for next year.

3. Plant a Winter Edible Garden

Gardeners in warm-winter regions can start a cool-season edible garden. Cabbage, kale, spinach and lettuce are popular choices. Kale in particular looks great in winter and can stand up to frost and snow. Also consider carrots, radishes, potatoes and garlic.

4. Pay Attention to New Plantings

Fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials for spring, because they’ll have a chance to settle in and set their roots before spring. Get them off to a good start by giving them extra attention after you plant them. Provide sufficient water, even if you are cutting back in other areas. Keep weeds down, add mulch and watch for damage from pests.

5. Prep Garden Beds for Spring

Give your garden soil a head start for spring by adding organic amendments now, before the winter chill sets in. They’ll break down during the upcoming months. Warm-winter gardeners also can sow cover crops, such as fava beans, to harvest come spring.

If you’re thinking of expanding existing garden beds or adding planting areas, start the process now. Take out any existing ground coverings within the planned planting area and add amendments. Once spring arrives, your new space will be ready to plant.

6. Find Tender Plants a Winter Home

Not every plant is designed to survive winter conditions, especially in cold-winter regions. Bring tender plants and overwintering bulbs into a sheltered space. Options include everything from greenhouses and garages to sheds, cloches and inside your home.

Gardeners in warm-winter regions might not need to bring everything in, but plants can still be damaged by occasional frost. Gather stakes and plant covers, or even string old-fashioned holiday lights (the ones that are warm to the touch) through plants so you’re ready to go when bad weather hits.

7. Feed the Birds — and Others

Set up new bird feeders or plan to replenish existing feeders throughout the winter. Check with local experts on which birds will remain in your area and what their preferred foods are.

Water sources also are a bonus for local birds and wildlife. Add heaters and bubblers to help prevent water from icing over.

8. Force Some Blooms

While most people think of bulbs as harbingers of spring, any number of them can also be forced into blooming during winter. If that’s on your garden to-do list, now is the time to start. Even if you’re new to the process, it’s relatively simple. Popular bulbs for forcing include paperwhite, hyacinth and amaryllis.

9. Care for Containers

Ceramic and terra-cotta containers can easily freeze and crack in cold weather. If you’re keeping any plants in them, move them to a sheltered location, such as a greenhouse, a garage or even a sunny but cool indoor spot. If your containers will be empty until it’s time to plant next spring, clean, dry and store them in a shed or garage until spring arrives.

Metal, stone and thick concrete containers aren’t as likely to crack. You can leave them in place or move them to a more sheltered spot, such as a covered space or under roof eaves, to protect them from the elements.