As the long days of summer start to wind down in Fort Collins, there’s still plenty to do to keep your garden flourishing. Late summer is the perfect time to give your plants the extra care they need to thrive and to get ready for fall harvest. Here are a few tips to help your garden stay healthy and productive as we get closer to autumn.

Deadhead and Prune

Encourage more blooms and tidy up your garden by deadheading annuals and pruning back any overgrown perennials. This keeps your garden looking fresh and channels energy into new growth. The Fiskars PowerGear Pruner gives you twice more cutting power to cut tough, thick stems and branches, making cleanup easier.

Watch for Pests and Disease

Late summer can bring an increase in garden pests like aphids and spider mites. Inspect plants regularly and remove any diseased leaves or spent flowers. Stock up on insect killer like this one from Gardentech Sevin. You can safely use it on flowers, shrubs, vegetables, fruits and other outdoor plants to keep pests and disease under control.

Harvest Herbs Regularly

Late summer is a great time to harvest herbs like basil, thyme, and oregano. They are easy to dry or freeze for use in the winter. Pick up herb snips, storage bags, or drying racks to harvest and preserve the herbs. Mini jars from Ball are a great way to store your dried herbs until you need them.

Prepare Beds for Next Season

As some summer crops finish, pull them and add them to your compost pile. Replenish your garden beds with nutrients using Earth Science’s Fast Acting Gypsum soil. It will also help to improve water penetration and root development, getting your soil foundations ready for fall and next spring.

From soil to pruners, Ace Hardware of Fort Collins on Harmony has everything you need to care for your garden as summer winds down. Our helpful team is always ready to offer advice and help you find the right tools and supplies for the season.