Weeds

• Fall is one of the best times of year to eliminate perennial weeds. If you are preparing new garden beds, your first step is to get rid of weeds. Use a non-selective glysophate herbicide as your initial method of weed control.
  
  

Digging

• Well-turned soil is essential for good drainage, particularly in wet, winter months, and is important for maintaining healthy plants. Use a garden fork to turn the soil in established perennial and garden beds. Use a shovel to dig over new garden beds to a depth of 10 to 12 inches. You can test soil drainage by digging a small hole approximately 8 inches in depth, fill the hole with water and observe how long it takes for the water to drain out of the hole. Soil for new garden beds can be left rough over the winter, the cold weather and frosts will break down large clumps of soil.
  
  

Feeding the Soil

• Add compost to your garden soil in fall, this will start to decompose and add nutrients to the soil through winter. Adding organic matter to soil improves the aeration of clay soils and adds nutrients to sandy-type soils.