Keep spent blooms cut off.

Prepare garden soil for fall planting.

Divide and transplant spring-flowering perennials.

Apply slow-acting fertilizer to perennials beds.

Aerate lawns if needed.

Overseed dormant grasses with rye grass seed.

Harvest herbs to dry for winter, and freeze chives.

Weed, water, and clean debris from flower beds and shrubs as needed.

Pinch back tall-growing plants.

Apply phosphorous souce to flower beds.

Condition soil of flower beds, by using compost.

Divide ground covers and perennial ornamental grasses.

About two months after gladiolus finish blooming, they should be mature enough to dig, cure, and store.