People view the month of October as the end of the gardening season, but smart gardeners know that this is prime time to prepare to grow the stars of next year’s garden, as it is their seeds. While their neighbors put away their tools until spring, the following 15 actions could mean the difference between a shocking spring and disappointing start.

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The time windows for these tasks are shorter than you think, and missing a task by even a week can impact the performance of your garden for months to come.

1. Knollen für den Frühling sollten vor dem Einfrieren des Bodens gepflanzt werden

All zones from 3-5 should have bulbs planted by mid-October. It is acceptable for zones 6-9 to do this until the end of November, but the earlier the better. Caution should be taken with tulips, daffodils, and crocuses as they need 12 to 16 weeks of temperatures below 50°F to be able to bloom. Plant now to be rewarded with weeks of spring color when the rest of the world is still dead.

2. How to Harvest and Cure Winter Squash

All Zones: Squash should be cut from the vine 2 inches above where the stem meets the squash (at least two inches of stem still attached) before the first hard frost. Place them in a warm, sunny location for 10 days. If cured properly, butternut squash can provide you sustainably homegrown food for over 6 months.

3. Divide Overcrowded Perennials

Zones 3 to 7 suggest now is a good time for dividing spring bloomers like peonies, iris and daylilies as the soil is warm but the air is cool. In zones 8 and 9 you'll want to wait until November. Division creates stronger, more competitive plants and reduces competition by instigating more blooms for the following season.

4. Erster Frost und Mulchen bei Pflanzungsempfindlichen Stauden

Zones 3-6: After the first frost, which will kill the tops, apply 4-6 inches of mulch around your roses, lavender, and other marginally hardy plants. Zones 7-9: Light mulching prevents temperature swings that damage roots. Mulch hibernates and helps to keep the soil temperature consistent.

5. Clean and Oil Garden Tools

All Zones: Remove all dirt, sharpen all blades and apply a light coating of oil to all metal parts. Tools that are stored properly, last 3x longer than those that are neglected. A $5 bottle of tool oil saves hundreds on replacement costs.

6. Plant Garlic Cloves

Zone 3 through 5 must be planted by the middle of October. Zone 6 through 9 can be planted up until the end of November. Softneck varieties are grown in warmer climates whereas hardneck are grown in colder conditions. Planting of each clove will transform it into a full bulb the following summer.

7. Faucets and hoses that are situated outdoors need to be protected

Zones 3-7: Be sure to drain hoses fully and disconnect them from the spigots. You can connect faucet covers to the spigots before the first hard frost. Zones 8-9: It’s still smart to protect them during the cold snaps. Pipes that are frozen can cause over $1000 in damage.

8. Collect and Store Seeds

All Zones: Collect seeds on dry days for marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, and sunflowers. Store the seeds in paper envelopes and keep them in a cool and dry place. A packet of zinnia seeds from a store costs $3. One zinnia plant can seed enough for a garden for 10 years.

9. Plant Trees and Shrubs

In zones 3 to 8, trees can be planted during the fall in order for their roots to develop for several months prior to facing the stress of summer heat. For zone 9, you’ll need to wait until November. When compared to spring-planting, fall planting results in 200% increased growth. This is due to the tree funneling energy to root development versus leaf development.

10. Lift and Store Summer Bulbs

Zones 3-7: You should dig your dahlias, gladiolus, and canna bulbs after their foliage has yellowed, but before the first hard frost. Zones 8-9: Properly prepared and covered bulbs are safe to remain in the ground over the winter, and will give you extra plants in the spring by multiplying.

11. Overseed Bare Lawn Spots

Zones 3-7: Grass will have time the roots to establish before the heat of summer. Zones 8-9: Excellent opportunity for cool-season grass types. Lawns seeded in fall are 50% thicker than those seeded in spring.

12. Bring Tender Plants Indoors

Zones 3-7: Bring in geraniums, herbs, and tropical plants when nighttime temperatures drop below 50 °F. Zones 8-9: Prepare for sudden cold temperatures. Acclimate plants to be indoors over the course of one week.

13. Applying Pre Emergent Weed Killer

All Zones: Apply to beds and lawns before the soil temperature drops below 55°F. This helps to prevent winter weeds like chickweed and henbit that rob desirable plants of nutrients and are detrimental to patch/tree health. Organic corn gluten meal is just as effective as synthetic options.

14. Test and Amend Soil pH

All Zones: Testing soil in the fall allows you to adjust pH levels during the months that follow until you plant in the spring. To increase pH, add lime; to reduce it, add sulfur. Adequate pH levels increase the efficiency of fertilizers by 60%, resulting in sturdier plants that are more resistant to diseases.

15. Fencing for Deer Repair or Installation

Zones 3-9: The hungry deer do the most damage in winter when there is little natural food available. It is recommended to install fencing that is 8 feet high or repair already existing barriers before the snow sets in as it will become difficult to do so. Prevention is always less costly than replacement of plants.

All the other homeowners will be scrambling about, but the gardeners will be spent relaxing and enjoying their efforts. What will your spring garden look like this year? Most of the work will need to be done ahead of time and the tasks could be some of the most enjoyable of the season, especially if they help you avoid the scramble this spring. What you do now will impact your garden enjoyment for months to come.