Your Autumn Garden Checklist

FOR CENTRAL ILLINOIS

Fall in Central Illinois is one of the best times to give your garden some love. Cooler temperatures make yard work more enjoyable, and plants benefit from mild days and crisp nights as they prepare for winter. Here’s your autumn garden checklist for Zone 5b (Champaign and surrounding areas):

Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs

Now is the time to tuck bulbs like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, and alliums into the ground. Plant them pointy side up, about 2–3 times as deep as the bulb’s height. Planting in fall ensures they’ll establish strong roots before the ground freezes, rewarding you with colorful blooms come spring.

Add Fall Color with Annuals & Accents

Brighten your porch, patio, and garden beds with cool-weather favorites:

• Mums, pansies, ornamental cabbage & kale add instant color and texture.
• Pumpkins, gourds, and heirloom squash make natural accents around planters, steps, or entryways.
• Fall planters are easy to design—combine mums with trailing ivy, grasses, or pansies for a layered, seasonal look.

To try overwintering hardy garden mums, plant them in the ground early in fall so they have time to root. After a hard frost, cut them back to about 3–4 inches, mulch heavily, and cross your fingers—they may surprise you with fresh growth in spring!

Move Houseplants Indoors

Before the first frost (usually mid-October in Champaign), bring in houseplants that have been vacationing outdoors. Inspect for pests, prune back any leggy growth, and repot if needed. Transitioning them inside before nights dip too low helps reduce shock.

Divide & Prune Perennials

• Divide: Daylilies, hostas, peonies, iris, and other clumping perennials can be dug up and divided to rejuvenate plants and spread them around the garden.
• Prune: Cut back spent perennials like coneflowers and bee balm if you prefer a tidier look. For shrubs, stick to light shaping—save major pruning for late winter or early spring to avoid stimulating tender new growth.

Plant Trees & Shrubs

Fall is still one of the very best times to plant trees and shrubs. Warm soil paired with cool air encourages strong root growth without the stress of summer heat. By spring, your new plants will be settled in and ready to thrive.

Reseed & Fertilize Lawns

September and early October are prime months for lawn care. Overseed thin spots, apply a fall fertilizer, and keep watering as needed. Fall feeding helps grass develop deeper roots and stores energy for a lush lawn next spring.

Clean Up Garden Beds

Remove annuals that have finished, rake leaves, and add a fresh layer of mulch. Mulching in fall helps regulate soil temperature and provides a blanket of protection for plant roots over the winter.

Consider Pollinators & Wildlife

If you’d like to support pollinators and birds, leave some seed heads (like echinacea or rudbeckia) standing through winter. They provide natural food sources and add texture and interest to the snowy landscape.

Why Fall Gardening Matters

Don’t think of fall as the end of gardening season—it’s actually the perfect time to plant. The soil is warm enough for roots to grow, rainfall is more reliable, and weeds are less aggressive. Plus, the work you put in now sets your garden up for an easier, more beautiful spring.

With a little planning, your autumn garden chores will not only tidy up your space but also give your plants a head start for next year. From fresh mums and colorful pumpkins to bulbs that promise spring blooms, fall truly is a season of possibility. Happy gardening!