Fall Garden Prep Guide for Decatur & Dunwoody Landscapes

Preparing your garden for fall in Decatur and Dunwoody is not just a seasonal shift, it’s a strategic opportunity to refresh your landscape design, enrich your soil, and set the stage for a vibrant spring.

From ornamental beds and vegetable gardens to turf-heavy yards, proper fall maintenance ensures long-lasting health and beauty.

Clean, Prune, and Replant for Fall

• Remove summer annuals early

Even if they still look good, replace them with fall and winter favorites like pansies, violas, and snapdragons. They need time to establish roots before the first frost.

• Clear diseased foliage

Plants such as phlox and bee balm often carry powdery mildew into winter. Removing infected leaves now helps prevent diseases in spring.

• Divide and transplant perennials

Fall’s cooler temperatures and moist soil make it the best time to divide and relocate overcrowded perennials like irises, daylilies, and ornamental grasses.

• Mulch fallen leaves

Instead of bagging, shred leaves into mulch. This boosts soil health, suppresses weeds, and supports beneficial microbes.

Soil and Bed Preparation

• Add compost and organic matter to refresh soil and improve drainage.
  
• Redefine sod lines, especially where Bermuda or Zoysia creep into beds. Crisp lawn edges are the foundation of good garden design.
  
• Control fall weeds like chickweed and bittercress early. Apply preemergent herbicides by Thanksgiving to avoid winter weed outbreaks.
  

Planting Priorities in Fall

• Cool-season vegetables: kale, collards, broccoli, lettuce, and carrots thrive in fall.
  
• Winter annuals: pansies, violas, and ornamental cabbage should be planted by mid-October for strong root establishment.
  
• Spring bulbs: daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths settle in best while soil is still warm.
  
• Trees and shrubs: fall planting reduces transplant stress and supports root growth.
  

Fall Lawn Care Essentials

• Reseed fescue in September and October for strong winter growth.
  
• Aerate compacted soil in high-traffic zones.
  
• Raise mower height to encourage deeper roots.
  
• Reduce irrigation frequency—overwatering in fall can lead to fungus and root rot. Smart irrigation systems help optimize watering schedules.
  

Maintain Tools and Irrigation Systems

• Clean and sharpen pruners, shovels, and mower blades.
  
• Drain hoses and irrigation lines to prevent freeze damage.
  
• Organize seed packets and label fall plantings for smoother spring planning.

Why Fall Matters for Decatur & Dunwoody Landscapes

Located in USDA Zones 7b–8a, Decatur and Dunwoody benefit from warm soils and mild winters, making fall the ideal planting season.

From pollinator gardens to container landscapes and full installations, fall preparation supports root development, disease prevention, and a more refined landscape design.