Fall on Long Island is one of the best times to get outside and work in the garden. Cooler temperatures, crisp air, and shorter days create the perfect conditions for planting, pruning, and preparing your landscape for winter. Here’s a checklist of essential garden tasks for September and October in Nassau County, NY (Zone 7).
1. Plant Trees & Shrubs
Fall is prime planting season for woody plants. Cooler air and warm soil help roots establish before winter.
- Consider planting maples, dogwoods, hollies, or boxwoods.
- Water deeply after planting and mulch to retain moisture.
2. Refresh Your Lawn
Autumn is the ideal time to repair or reseed Long Island lawns.
- Overseed thin spots with cool-season grasses like tall fescue or perennial rye.
- Apply a fall fertilizer (such as Scotts® Turf Builder WinterGuard).
- Aerate compacted soil to improve root growth.
3. Plant Spring Bulbs
Get a head start on next spring’s color by planting bulbs now.
- Tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths all do well in Zone 7.
- Choose a sunny, well-drained spot and plant bulbs two to three times as deep as their height.
- Add bone meal or bulb fertilizer for strong growth.
4. Divide & Transplant Perennials
If your hostas, daylilies, or irises are overcrowded, fall is the time to divide them.
- Dig and split clumps, then replant sections in new locations.
- Water well to help them settle before frost.
5. Clean Up Annual Beds & Containers
Remove spent annuals to prevent disease and make way for fall plantings.
- Replace with cold-tolerant pansies, ornamental cabbage, or fall mums.
- Compost healthy plant material; discard anything diseased.
6. Mulch & Protect Tender Plants
Add fresh mulch to protect roots and help retain moisture through the colder months.
- For tender perennials or roses, mound mulch or leaves around the base.
- Consider burlap wraps for vulnerable evergreens.
7. Harvest & Store Fall Vegetables
If you grow edibles, September and October are peak harvest months.
- Pick tomatoes, peppers, and beans before frost.
- Plant cool-season crops like kale, spinach, and lettuce for extended harvest.
- Store root vegetables like carrots and beets in a cool, dark place.
8. Check Garden Tools & Supplies
As the season winds down, take stock of your tools and supplies.
- Clean and sharpen pruners, shovels, and shears.
- Drain and store hoses before the first freeze.
- Restock fertilizer, soil amendments, and mulch for spring.
Final Tip: Enjoy the Season
Fall gardening isn’t just about chores — it’s about enjoying the crisp weather, changing leaves, and last blooms of the year. A little effort now will set your garden up for a beautiful spring and healthy, resilient plants through the winter.
👉 Visit Zaino’s Nursery in Westbury this fall for seasonal plants, bulbs, mulch, and expert advice tailored to Long Island gardens.