Photo: 1MI. Autumn in the garden is not only a bountiful harvest but also an important stage of caring for future fruiting.
Autumn in the garden is not only a bountiful harvest but also an important stage of caring for future fruiting. For trees, shrubs, and other plants to survive the cold season without losses, the gardener must carry out a whole range of activities. More details are in the material.
How to properly clean the garden area after harvesting
Autumn is an excellent time for pruning winter-hardy trees and shrubs and cleaning the area after harvesting. Pruning is necessary to remove dry, diseased, and damaged branches. This helps eliminate overwintering pests and prevents the spread of diseases. This procedure also prepares trees for winter loads: thinning the crown prevents excessive snow accumulation, reducing the risk of branches breaking under its weight.
“The timing of autumn pruning directly depends on the climate zone and current weather conditions. The key rule is to complete the work after leaf fall, when the tree has entered dormancy—usually from late September to November—but before persistent frosts set in. However, different crops require an individual approach.”
During pruning, your safety depends on using the correct techniques and personal protective equipment. It is recommended to use gloves to protect hands from splinters, safety glasses to shield eyes from sawdust and accidental chips, and comfortable non-slip shoes with thick soles for stability.
How to prepare perennial plants for winter
In September, it is worth tidying up: apple and pear trees, currants, gooseberries, and honeysuckle. However, stone fruit crops—cherries, sweet cherries, apricots, and peaches—are best left untouched in autumn. If pruned before winter, fresh cuts may freeze, and the tree could weaken significantly. For these trees, only necessary sanitary treatment is acceptable: removing broken and clearly diseased branches. Major formative pruning should be postponed until early spring.
After any pruning, all cuts larger than 2 cm in diameter must be treated with a protective compound. Garden pitch or a special disinfecting paste will create a barrier against infections and help the cut heal faster.
Do not forget to care for tools after work. Thoroughly clean blades of sap and wood residues. Sharpen them for future tasks, wipe them with a special solution to prevent the spread of diseases between plants. Tools should be stored in a dry place to avoid corrosion.
What to plant in October
October is a suitable time for planting pome trees (apple, pear), berry shrubs, as well as rowan, mulberry, cherry plum, and frost-resistant Ural plum varieties. However, modern winters with their sharp temperature fluctuations bring adjustments: even adapted plants may face problems. Key risks include freezing of fruit buds at -18°C and below, damage to bark by rodents during the cold period, and rotting of the root collar due to stagnant meltwater in spring.
Stone fruit species—apricots, plums, peaches, sweet cherries—are best postponed until spring due to the high risk of root collar damping-off. Damping-off occurs when wet snow melts slowly at the base of the trunk at temperatures between 0°C and -4°C, especially if the root collar was buried during planting. As a result, the bark and cambium die, disrupting the exchange of nutrients between the crown and roots, gradually leading to the tree’s death.
Moisture-charging irrigation is one of the key activities in October. Garden
