Most gardeners work hard to maintain attractive colorful gardens throughout the summer, but many of us forget to do what’s necessary to maintain that beauty into the fall and winter. Here is some advice that will help you prolong the life and looks of your garden by taking just a few extra steps during the summer.

Let’s face it, every season, your garden will begin to wilt and fade. But you don’t have to give in to the coming winter. You can keep your garden fresh and green longer than you might think.

At the first sign of that yellowish brown tone, take action. Pinch back the yellowing foliage and wilting flowers as quickly as you notice them. This will have instant results, as this action will immediately restore your green garden’s freshness. Removing the dying parts of your plants will direct nutrients to the remaining healthy portions and add to the plant’s life. Give your garden a little more water in the late summer and early fall to compensate for depleted nutrients and lower humidity.

In August, you should probably add a light dose of locally-produced fertilizer to boost your green garden just a bit. Locally-produced fertilizer is recommended because it’s less likely to shock your plants. And watch the amount carefully. Over-doses kill plants too! Organic fertilizer blends are good because they provide a diverse formula of nutrients and minerals to support a variety of plants.

Weed! Weed! Weed! Nothing is more important to maintaining your attractive green garden than removing weeds as soon as they begin to appear. This begins before you even plant your new seeds. You must consistently hoe and cultivate between plants, getting as close to the base stem as possible, to protect the desired plants’ root systems. Removing the weeds will also help maintain a healthy balance of moisture that prevents healthy plant dehydration and browning. Using plenty of mulch will also help prevent weeds and maintain moisture, in addition to making your garden appear neat and clean.

Mind the gaps! Thinning, weeding, and pinching back dead growth will like create a few small gaps in your green garden. Browse your local plant stores for late-season sales and markdowns, and use those plants to both fill in the gaps and add a little color to your green garden. They may not last long, but they’ll add immensely to your garden’s beauty.

For a green garden, be sure you’ve done your homework on the plants that thrive in your climate. Know what zone you live in, and plan your garden accordingly. Using the appropriate plants is an easy way to maintain a green garden longer through the season. These plants most likely grow wild in many areas of your zone, so they’ll be more hardy and less susceptible to overly moist or overly dry conditions should they occur. Though you may want to use other plants that are not natural or native to your zone, you’ll pay for it with early browning and quickly-dying greenery. It’s not worth the gamble.

After all the work of creating a green garden, it’s well worth the marginal addition of time and effort to given your garden the best care and keep it green weeks beyond what you’d expect without that extra care. Keeping your green garden healthy and vibrant weeks to months longer allows you and your neighbors to enjoy it more. And keeping a green garden past the normal growing season fights off those cold-weather doldrums.

Taking these few simple actions will keep your green garden green and productive longer than it has ever been before. And your satisfaction will carry you further into the winter than you might expect. Truly enjoy your outdoor living! Take the time to pinch, pull, and mulch your green garden throughout the summer and into the fall.