Fall Gardening Suggestions

As fall season continues, consider these tips and small projects.

Mulch your plant beds to help keep your soil moist, control soil temperature and protect plant roots from frost damage.

Make a bee hotel that provides shelter as they look for places to sleep for winter. All you need is a scrap piece of wood with holes drilled into it. And if you are short on time, just leave the leaves so pollinators can find refuge.

Pull weeds by hand rather than using a spray.

Set up a rain barrel to collect rainwater instead of using a hose– gardens don’t need as much water in the fall and winter months.

Plant winter veggies in your garden right now: carrots, turnips, spinach, brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale.

Try planting cool-weather edible flowers, like nasturtium, viola and snapdragons, as well as herbs like cilantro, dill and parsley.

Hang up Christmas lights to warm plants if temperatures fall below freezing.

Find more ideas at orangegarden.com.