As gardening season comes to a close, Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini advises on important late-season tasks. Gardeners should prepare their tools for the next season by cleaning and sharpening pruning and digging blades to prevent rust and enhance efficiency.

For garden mums, once flowering has finished, they should be trimmed to 2-3 inches, and a layer of mulch can be applied for winter protection. It’s important to ensure they do not dry out during the winter, so supplemental watering may be necessary.

Domenghini also addresses the issue of leftover pumpkins, which often end up in landfills after Halloween. This contributes to landfill overflow due to the lack of oxygen preventing organic matter from breaking down. She recommends finding communal composting sites, as many cities offer options for disposing of green waste. Some farms accept pumpkins for animal feed, but those treated with bleach, wax, or paint should not be fed to animals.