Pruning flowers in the garden before fall

Fall Garden Check-In: What to Do Now, and Pests to Watch For

Fertilize before planting: Work a balanced fertilizer into the soil ahead of planting to fuel steady growth while temperatures cool down.
Ease off the nitrogen: Heavy nitrogen encourages soft, fast growth that can't handle winter's punches. Stick with a balanced blend so growth stays sturdy as the cold moves in.
Work in organic matter: Mix compost or well-rotted manure into your beds now. It rebuilds soil structure and sets next year's crops up to thrive.
Mulch: A layer of mulch keeps soil temperatures steady, holds moisture in, and chokes out weeds; essentially wrapping your garden in a blanket as it heads into winter.

Seasonal Preparedness| Skills & How-To| Vegetable Gardening| Seasonal Planting| Seasonal Guides

September 02, 2026

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Nicole Jones

For Nicole Jones, agriculture isn’t a career — it’s a calling. She grew up in the industry, starting 4-H at age five showing dairy cattle and serving as a dairy ambassador — the beginning of a lifelong commitment to the land. That passion carried her through over five years as an agriculture educator and FFA advisor before joining Skagit Farmers Supply, where she leads the Country Store Academy workshop series. A working farmer herself, Nicole brings both classroom expertise and boots-on-the-ground experience to every program she builds.

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