October is the perfect time to start thinking about getting your garden ready for winter.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably enjoyed watching your sedums bloom all summer and into early fall, with their thick, succulent leaves and clusters of pink, red, or white flowers.
Sedums, also known as stonecrop, are incredibly hardy plants, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need a bit of care to ensure they survive the winter and thrive again next spring.
Over the years, I’ve learned what works best to help my sedums through the cold months.
With just a few simple steps, you can give your sedums the best chance of making it through the winter with flying colors.
Here’s what you need to do in October to ensure your sedums stay healthy all winter long.
Hold Off on Pruning Until Spring
One of the first things many gardeners think about in October is cutting back their perennials.
But when it comes to sedums, resist the urge to prune them just yet.
Sedums have thick, fleshy stems that provide a natural insulation for the plant’s crown, protecting it from frost.
If you cut them back too early, you’ll remove this protective layer, leaving your plant more vulnerable to the cold.
I made this mistake early in my gardening years, thinking that cutting everything back would give my garden a neat, tidy look for winter.
But when spring arrived, I noticed that some of my sedums had suffered more frost damage than I expected.
Now, I always leave the stems standing through the winter.
Not only do they help protect the plant, but they also add some interesting structure to the winter garden.
Come spring, when the new growth starts to push through, you can prune the old stems back to make way for fresh shoots.
Mulch to Protect the Roots
One of the best things you can do for your sedums in October is to apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plants.
Mulching helps regulate the soil temperature, protecting the roots from the freeze-thaw cycles that can cause stress during the winter.
It also helps retain moisture and prevents the soil from becoming too dry during the cold months.
I like to use shredded leaves or pine needles as mulch for my sedums.
Both options break down over time, adding nutrients to the soil.
Plus, they’re easy to come by, especially in the fall when leaves are abundant.
Just be sure not to pile the mulch directly against the plant’s stems, as this can cause rot.
Instead, keep a small gap around the base of the plant while spreading the mulch evenly around the root zone.
One year, I skipped mulching, thinking that sedums were tough enough to handle the winter on their own.
That spring, I noticed that some of my plants had suffered frost heave, where the freezing and thawing of the soil pushed the roots up out of the ground.
Since then, mulching in October has been an essential part of my winter prep routine.
Water Deeply Before the Ground Freezes
Sedums are known for being drought-tolerant plants, thanks to their succulent leaves that store water.
However, that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate a deep drink before the winter freeze sets in.
In October, make sure to water your sedums thoroughly, giving the roots plenty of moisture to sustain them through the dry winter months.
This is especially important if your region has had a dry fall.
I usually give my sedums a good soak in mid-October, once the temperatures start to drop but before the ground freezes.
This helps the plant stay hydrated during the cold months, when it can’t draw water from frozen soil.
I’ve noticed that the years I take the time to water deeply before winter, my sedums bounce back much more quickly in the spring.
Avoid Fertilizing in the Fall
If you’re someone who likes to give your plants a little extra love with fertilizer, October is not the time to do it.
Sedums don’t need any fertilizer in the fall, and in fact, adding nutrients at this time can encourage new growth that won’t have time to harden off before winter.
New growth is tender and more susceptible to frost damage, so it’s best to avoid fertilizing until spring.
I’ve learned this lesson the hard way.
One year, I thought I was doing my sedums a favor by giving them a final dose of fertilizer in October.
What happened instead was that they started to put out new growth that got zapped by the first frost.
Since then, I stop fertilizing my sedums by late summer, allowing the plants to go into dormancy naturally.
Leave the Seed Heads for Winter Interest
One of the things I love about sedums is that their seed heads can add a touch of winter beauty to the garden.
After the blooms fade in late summer or early fall, the seed heads remain standing, creating a striking contrast against the snow or frost.
Not only do they look beautiful, but they also provide food for birds during the colder months.
I’ve spent many winter mornings watching birds perch on the dried seed heads of my sedums, picking at the seeds.
It’s a great way to keep some wildlife activity in the garden even when most plants have gone dormant.
Plus, the seed heads add a bit of texture to an otherwise bare winter landscape.
So, instead of cutting everything back in October, leave those seed heads standing.
They’ll add a little interest to your winter garden and help support local wildlife.
Keep an Eye Out for Pests and Diseases
Even though sedums are tough plants, they can still be affected by pests and diseases, especially if the fall has been unusually wet.
October is a good time to inspect your sedums for any signs of trouble before winter sets in.
Common issues include powdery mildew, which can appear on the leaves in humid conditions, and aphids, which may still be lingering.
If you spot any pests, I recommend using an organic insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat the problem.
For diseases like powdery mildew, removing and discarding any affected leaves can help prevent the issue from spreading.
Once, I ignored a small outbreak of powdery mildew on my sedums, thinking it was too late in the season to matter.
But the disease ended up overwintering and reappeared even stronger the next spring.
Now, I always make sure to address any issues before winter arrives.
Divide Overgrown Clumps in October
If your sedums have been in the same spot for a few years and are starting to look a bit overcrowded, October is the perfect time to divide them.
Dividing perennials helps rejuvenate the plants, giving them more space to grow and thrive.
It’s also a great way to get more plants for free!
To divide your sedums, carefully dig up the clump and use a sharp spade or knife to separate it into smaller sections.
Each section should have a healthy root system and at least a few stems.
Replant the divisions in a new location, water them well, and mulch around them to help them settle in before winter.
I remember the first time I divided my sedums, I was amazed at how many new plants I ended up with.
Not only did the original plant bounce back stronger, but I was able to fill in other areas of my garden with the divisions.
It’s a win-win for both the plants and the garden!
Avoid Overwatering as Temperatures Drop
While it’s important to give your sedums a deep watering in October, it’s equally important not to overdo it once the temperatures start to drop.
Sedums are drought-tolerant by nature, and their fleshy leaves store plenty of water to get them through the winter.
Overwatering at this time of year can lead to soggy soil, which increases the risk of root rot.
After you’ve given your sedums their final deep soak for the season, you can ease up on the watering.
If you live in an area that gets regular rainfall in the fall, you may not need to water at all.
In drier regions, you can water sparingly if needed, but be careful not to overdo it.
I’ve made the mistake of overwatering in the fall, thinking I was helping my plants stay hydrated through the winter.
But what I ended up doing was creating waterlogged soil that led to root rot in a few of my sedums.
Now, I make sure to monitor the soil moisture and only water when absolutely necessary.
Plant Sedums in a Well-Drained Location
If you’re just starting out with sedums or thinking about adding more to your garden, one of the most important things to consider is where you plant them.
Sedums thrive in well-drained soil, and planting them in a location with poor drainage can lead to problems, especially in the winter when the soil stays wet for longer.
I have some sedums planted in a rock garden where the soil drains quickly, and they’ve always done well there.
In contrast, I planted a few in a low spot in my yard that tends to collect water, and those plants have struggled over the years.
If you’re planting new sedums in October, choose a spot with good drainage to help them get through the winter.
Be Patient in Spring
One thing to keep in mind is that sedums can be slow to emerge in the spring.
After a long winter, it can be tempting to think that your sedums didn’t make it.
But give them time—sedums are resilient, and they’ll eventually send up new shoots once the weather warms up.
I’ve had years where I thought my sedums were goners, only to see new growth start to appear weeks after everything else in the garden had already woken up.
So, be patient and resist the urge to pull them out too early.
They’ll reward you with beautiful blooms when the time is right.
Final Thoughts
October is a crucial month for preparing your sedums for the winter ahead.
By following a few simple steps—such as watering deeply, mulching to protect the roots, and avoiding over-pruning—you’ll help your sedums survive the cold months and come back even stronger in the spring.
Over the years, I’ve found that taking the time to care for my sedums in the fall pays off with healthier, more vibrant plants the following year.
Remember, gardening is all about learning from experience.
With a little care in October, your sedums will continue to thrive and bring beauty to your garden for years to come.
So, take a little time now to prepare, and enjoy the reward of a thriving, beautiful garden next season.
Happy gardening!