The One Thing a Pro Gardener Is Doing at Home This Month (It’s a Must Before Fall!)

Since spring, you might have put your garden on autopilot, doing minimal tasks like running the sprinkler through dry spells or adding a little fertilizer here and there (and no shame in that — lazy gardening is gardening too!). But even though outdoor temperatures still indicate summertime, routines are now settling in as the days slowly get shorter. That means there are some fall-related tasks you might want to start thinking about in your garden.

I wanted to get the low-down on what the pros are getting up to in their own gardens this month, so I asked horticulturist Michael Clarke, who has over 15 years of experience as a residential and commercial gardener, what he’s planning to tackle. Clarked told me he’s gearing up for colder temperatures that lay ahead by concentrating on one crucial task this month: mulching. While it’s true that most people only think about mulching once the spring thaw arrives, Clarke says that now is the time to add mulch for all plantings, both in your garden and outdoor planters.

Although it seems counterintuitive — after all, didn’t you just add a layer of tree bark in the spring? — placing mulch now can help your plants endure the still-soaring summer temperatures while prepping them for the seasons ahead. “With the heat of the summer, I’m looking to preserve as much water as possible in the soil and protect the root zones from excessive heat,” says Clarke. Adding an extra layer helps hold essential moisture while protecting plants from extreme temperature fluctuations.

Natural mulch, as opposed to synthetic, has the additional benefit of nourishing plants over time. Clarke says that a layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips or pine needles, will break down and release much-needed nutrients into the soil. The roots readily absorb this nutrition while the plant stocks up on vitamins before the cold season begins. Waiting to mulch until colder temperatures arrive won’t allow time for the necessary breakdown of nutrients before frost hits.

Clarke also notes that mulching now can keep end-of-summer gardens from looking straggly. “My beds look rich and healthy, helping enhance my summer blooming trees and shrubs,” he says. Additionally, mulching suppresses weeds, which can help give your flower beds and planters a fresh feel as a new season peeks around the corner.