Fall is a busy time of year, as wrap-up for summer and preparation for next year.

Planting in the fall gives you a big jump on spring gardening.

Fall brings the perfect opportunity to plant. Whether supplementing an existing planting or installing an entire garden, when the soil is 50 degrees or warmer and air temperatures are above 55 degrees, these are perfect conditions for root establishment.

Mulching fall-planted perennials will keep the soil warmer longer, allowing root growth to continue. If frost is forecast, cover plants overnight with a sheet.

While this is an excellent time to plant, beware of hungry deer. White-tailed deer pressure ramps up as temperatures drop, as there is less food available for them.

Check out the many lists on the internet for deer-tolerant plants for Pennsylvania and focus on planting these. If you decide to install a fence, make sure it is at least eight-feet-tall.

Take stock at the end of summer when the progress of the last season is easy to observe. While plants are visible, mark your perennials with permanent tags or create a map showing their location so you will know where and what they are when they die off at the end of the season. This will also prevent digging up something you intended to keep.

Determine what plants you want to keep. In October, when most perennials are brown and dead, late-blooming black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckias) will brighten your landscaping. Rudbeckia fulgida var.fulgida blooms longer than most Rudbeckias. This would be a great plant to add where you would like a long-blooming perennial to brighten late-season gardens.

If you do not have enough fall interest, add asters and goldenrod. They are the grand finale to the perennial garden, displaying vibrant fall colors in shades of blue, purple and bright yellow. They are extremely valuable to pollinators because they are the last feeding opportunities for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

October is the perfect time to dig up and relocate plants, especially those that have been visually bugging you all summer. Plants moved in the fall will likely experience less transplant shock. Make sure you mulch them. Fallen leaves would work well.

As the leaves are changing color and floating to the ground, they will form a layer on the garden and lawn. If they are thick on your lawn, blow them back into the bed to avoid smothering the grass. Leaves make wonderful mulch.

Remember that there are pollinators overwintering in the leaves.

Remove diseased plants. Phlox and bee balm (Monarda) are likely to have powdery mildew. Put them in a bag or other container and dispose of them in the trash. The fungus can survive over winter. Never put diseased plants in compost.

Clean and oil your garden tools for winter storage. If you have cut diseased plants, sterilize tools with alcohol or disinfecting wipes. Next place sand in a large bucket and some oil, and then slide your garden tools in and out of the sand. This will do an excellent job of cleaning them, as well as applying a light coat of oil to prevent rusting.

“Growing Green” is contributed by Diane Dorn, Lehigh County Extension Office Staff, and Master Gardeners. Information: Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-813-6613.