9/08/2024
Ramsey County Master Gardeners share garden advice for Fall 2024 (September – October – November)
A walk in the woods in the fall.
A Note from the Master Gardeners
Thanks to all who dropped by our booth at the State Fair! It’s always fun to talk with you about your garden adventures! As we head into autumn, we’re reflecting on an incredibly productive and bountiful growing season this year — despite some headaches from all the rain.
We’ve been grateful for the opportunity to interact with thousands of Ramsey County residents at community gardens, children’s and senior programming, local farmer’s markets and neighborhood events this summer! We are always looking for more ways to connect with our communities. Did you know that all 16 of St. Paul Public Housing Agency’s high-rise buildings have gardens supported by Ramsey County Master Gardeners? We’ve added a new way to request tours of our demonstration gardens and a listing of where to find Master Gardener volunteers on our website. We’re also offering a full suite of classes this fall.
Plus, you can join us as a Master Gardener volunteer! The University of MN Extension is now accepting applications for 2025. If you’re looking for something more casual but still want to continue learning about gardening, consider joining a local garden club—there are so many to consider!
Remember, you can always write or call us with your questions, or visit the Extension website for helpful gardening information.
— Your friendly neighborhood Master Gardener
Fall Garden Activities
SEPTEMBER
Harvest vegetables and fruits (Check out our tips on food preservation)
Save vegetable seeds for next year
Consider a cover crop for empty garden beds
Plan for fall lawn care: Fertilize and control broadleaf weeds
OCTOBER
Clean garden tools and equipment before storing for the winter
Remember to keep watering trees and shrubs until the ground is frozen
Get your soil tested while you can still easily dig a sample (beat the spring rush!)
NOVEMEBER
Protect plants from animal damage and cold damage
Order seed catalogs
Research local winter farmers markets
Fall 2024 Garden Information
There's still time to plant!
Early September is not too late to plant hardy perennials, trees and shrubs — and it’s a great time to find deals at local garden centers! Get plants in the ground right away, water well through the fall, and mulch them with shredded wood mulch. (Mulch protects plant roots from damage, holds in soil moisture, and moderates the soil temperatures so your plants can move gradually into winter.)
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.
Mapping the Twin Cities hottest neighborhoods
In late July, dozens of volunteers in Ramsey and Hennepin County helped gather hyper-local heat and humidity data across the Twin Cities as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 2024 Urban Heat Island Mapping Campaign. The data — part of an effort to understand urban heat islands — will be used to help protect people living in the hottest areas. Learn more about Ramsey County’s efforts here.
Managing the threat of creeping bellflower
Have you noticed bell-shaped purple flowers cropping up all over your yard or neighborhood? Creeping bellflower might look attractive, but it outcompetes other plants and is very difficult to get rid of once it’s established. Read about Ramsey County Master Gardener volunteer Julie Ann Wegscheid’s work to raise awareness around creeping bellflower in the Star Tribune, and find more information on our website.
As temperatures fall, watch for home-invading insects
There are three commonly seen invading insects in MN each fall: boxelder bugs, multicolored Asian lady beetles, and brown marmorated stink bugs. Find more info here on these pesky pests and how to deal with them.
Prepare your vegetable garden for fall
At this point in the season, there are a few things left to do to help transition your vegetable garden to winter, and to prepare for next season.
Keep storm drains clear of leaves and debris
When drains are clogged with leaves and debris, excess nutrients, sediments and pollutants can enter our local waterways. You can help alleviate this problem by sweeping clean drains near you, especially during the fall season. You can also sign up to “adopt” a local storm drain through Hamline University.
Sign Up to Receive Future Garden Advice
Sign up for the Ramsey County Master Gardener newsletter to have seasonal garden information emailed to you quarterly. Name and email required.
More Resources to Help you Grow
Ask a Master Gardener Online & Phone Services
Ramsey County Yard Waste & Food Scraps Drop-off Locations