A little fall planning can make a big difference in your garden. Our free printable Fall Garden Checklist helps you organize what to plant, what needs protection, which plants to bring indoors, and what to prepare for next season.
Start with your garden and local conditions, then choose the tasks that apply to you.
Download the Free Checklist · Free six-page printable PDF
Start with where you grow
Before checking off tasks, note your location, USDA zone, usual first frost and the forecast you need to watch. Your hardiness zone describes average extreme winter cold; it is not a planting calendar. Local frost dates, soil conditions, daylight and your plants’ needs all help determine your next step.
Find your zone using the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, and look for advice from your local Extension office.
1. Plan what to plant
Check local recommendations for vegetables, bulbs, trees and shrubs. Before sowing or transplanting, consider the weather, soil and time a plant needs to grow. If your planting window has passed, use the checklist to plan for next season and record what is already growing.
2. Protect plants before cold weather
Identify tender plants and containers that may need shelter. Plants in pots can need extra protection because their roots lack the insulating mass of the surrounding ground. Watch the local forecast, check soil moisture before watering, and make sure containers drain well.
3. Make a gentler move indoors
Check each plant’s cold tolerance before moving it inside. Look under leaves, along stems and around pots for pests, and keep returning plants apart from other indoor plants while monitoring for problems. Choose suitable indoor light and temperature, away from heating vents and cold drafts. Water according to the plant and potting mix, rather than a fixed schedule.
4. Clean up and prepare
Clean tools, organize supplies and note what worked in your garden this year. Follow local guidance for disposing of diseased material, and consider where healthy leaves, stems or seed heads can remain useful or support wildlife. The checklist includes room to write down your next steps and three priorities.
Make it your own
You do not have to do everything at once. Print the checklist, keep it handy and focus on the tasks that fit your plants and growing conditions.
Have a question about a particular plant? Explore horticulturist-backed care guidance with GardenSage™ by SmartPlant®.