Don't let fall garden chores overwhelm you

There's a long list of things that must be done in the garden before the snow falls. Luckily, at least here in Denver, the snow doesn't look to be falling anytime soon. I guess drought is good for something. You don't have do it all at once this year, or even think about it all at once. That's great if you're into gradual gardening, like me.

When it comes to fall garden chores, force yourself to look at the smaller picture.

If you start thinking about the vast amount of work facing you, it may never get done. Instead, address a different issue each day until there are no more issues to be addressed. It's a much simpler approach and one that doesn't leave you all stressed out. After all, gardenig is supposed to be a pleasure, not a pain.

Address the worst garden clean-ups first.

For instance, yesterday, I did a thorough fall watering on the perennials. I left the dead heading. That's tomorrow's job. I'm trying to not even think about it today.

As you work your way through the list....

Things become easier and easier toward the end of the season when you do the worst things first. Plus, they don't sit there, nagging on your brain and causing you to lose sleep. So, once you do your worst task, check for the next worst. File it in your brain to do tomorrow. Don't worry about the next day or the day after. It's just too stressful.

Worry is unproductive in the garden.

Spending the end of gardening season fretting about all the work that needs doing does nothing to get it done. It also makes you miserable and not much fun to be around. So, take it one day at a time. Address your worst tasks first. Before you know it, they'll all be done. More importantly, they'll be done without all the stress.