Garden Advice for Fall 2026
Garden Education Volunteer Program of Ramsey County
09/05/2026
A Note from the Ramsey County Garden Education Volunteers
We’re winding down a busy two weeks at the State Fair — thanks to all who have already dropped by our booth with questions and stories of your gardens!
One of the biggest areas of conversation this year has been our persistent drought, so we’re packing this newsletter with tips for caring for your yard and garden when rainfall is scarce. (Tip: watering doesn’t stop when summer ends!)
Though the days are getting shorter, we still have plenty of opportunities to connect. If you’re interested in getting more involved, you can join us as a volunteer! University of Minnesota Extension is accepting applications for 2027 until October 1st.
Remember, you can always write or call us with your questions, or visit the Extension website for helpful gardening information.
Fall Garden Activities
September
Visit local winter farmers markets
Order spring-flowering bulbs and garlic
September is the most critical month of the year for our lawns. According to the Lawn Care Calendar, this is the very best time to fertilize, aerate, control broadleaf weeds, and establish or renovate a new lawn using seed.
Stop watering your amaryllis, bring it inside, and place it in a dark, cool place for a few months if you want it to bloom during the holidays.
October
Plot out seed-starting schedule, start long-season seeds, plan seed starting schedule
Check houseplants for signs of disease, stress. Prune foliage, remove dead leaves and weeds from the base of the pot, and re-pot into fresh potting mix
Take inventory of garden gear
Mark branches that need to be removed over the winter by tying marking tape loosely around the branches. This will help you identify the correct limbs to remove in a few months.
Harvest most fruit from your annual plants before the first forecasted frost. Some fruit, like tomatoes, may continue to ripen indoors, whereas other fruit, like peppers, will stop ripening once harvested.
Protect any tender perennials as the temperatures drop later in the month. Roses can benefit from a thick layer of leaves or mulch.
November
Protect trees and shrubs from animals and the winter sun. Fences are the best defence against animals, while white tree guards protect the trunks of young and thin-barked trees from the sun, which causes the trunks to crack.
Try winter-sowing cool-season seeds
Continue watering trees and shrubs until the soil freezes
Winterize large pots that are difficult to move indoors by letting them dry down before covering them with an impermeable cover, like a heavy plastic bag. Remove any catch trays from under pots as well.
Consider gradually lowering your mowing height as you mow your lawn, but not lower than 2 inches, as this will help mulch the tree leaves and potentially reduce the amount of snow mold in your lawn this winter. November is also a great time to dormant seed to improve or renovate your lawn.
Drain all hoses before loosely coiling them.
Put all fertilizer or seed bags on shelves to keep them off the ground, where they can potentially get wet.
Fall Garden Information
Watering the yard and garden in extreme drought
Prioritizing what to water and reusing water safely helps keep landscapes healthy during extreme drought conditions. This guide from UMN Extension provides helpful tips for choosing water to water.
Watering newly planted trees and shrubs
Late summer and early fall can be a good time to plant new trees and shrubs. See watering newly planted trees and shrubs for a formula for how much and how frequently to water. Note that daily watering of 1 to 1.5 gallons per inch of trunk diameter is required for the first two weeks after planting.
Winter storage for home-grown vegetables
Interested in saving some of your garden harvest for the winter months? Most fruits and vegetables do not need to be cured before storing, but a few do, including onions, garlic, pumpkins, winter squash, potatoes and sweet potatoes. Learn how to properly prepare your vegetables for long-term storage with this guide.
Leave the leaves to help pollinators
Tired of raking up all your leaves? Leave some on the ground! Perfectly raked lawns and garden beds lack critical food and shelter for bees and many other pollinators. Read more from the University of Missouri Extension.
Homeowners’ Checklists for weather and climate risks
Fall is a great time to take on home improvement projects as the temperatures cool. The University of Minnesota has new checklists available for Minnesota homeowners with information tailored to five major weather and climate risks facing the state, including flooding, wildfire, extreme heat, wind and hail, and snow and ice.
Autumn scouting for invasive species
As the leaves drop, you might notice something out of place in your woods or along the trails: patches of persistent, incongruous green foliage. While other native plants have changed colors or dropped their leaves, many invasive trees and shrubs hold onto their leaves later into the fall. Fortunately, this makes them easy to spot and manage.
Start planning fall color travel
Love to go leaf-peeping? The DNR recommends booking camping reservations and buying vehicle permits early. Fall color season can be incredibly busy at state parks and recreation areas. Stay tuned for 2026 fall color maps — showing leaf color progression across the state — to launch Thursday, Sept. 10 on the DNR's fall colors webpage.
More Resources to Help You Grow
Ask a Master Gardener Online & Phone Services
Yard and Garden Information
Ramsey County Yard Waste & Food Scraps Drop-off Locations
