Bring any terra-cotta containers inside for the winter.
Break up mushrooms and puffballs on the lawn with a rake.
To help limit the spread of Oriental bittersweet, do not use the stem and berries for wreaths and other holiday decorations. For more information visit the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Program website.
During fall cleanup, leave messy refuge areas for overwintering pollinators and beneficials. Note that refuge areas can also help overwintering pest insects.
Once all containers are emptied of summer annuals, wash them thoroughly before storing for the winter.
Let the seed heads of sunflowers dry on the stalk or cut them and hang them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated indoor location. Once the seeds have completely dried, rub them off the head by hand and store them in airtight containers.
For a beautiful clematis with white flowers, consider ‘Albina Plena,’ ‘Henryi,’ ‘Kaiu’ or ‘Snow Queen’.
Plant Something Massachusetts is a project of Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, and was originally established in partnership with Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association.