Fall Prep for a Spring Toronto Vegetable Garden

Converting lawn to veg/herb beds in Toronto (Zone 5b). Do the heavy lifting now—before freeze-up.

Fall To-Do List

1. Kill grass: Smother with cardboard + 4″ wood chips (sheet mulch) or rent a sod cutter.
2. Till / double-dig: Incorporate 3″ compost + 1″ aged manure.
3. Soil test: U of Guelph or DIY kit; adjust pH to 6.5–6.8 with lime/sulfur.
4. Winter mulch: Straw or shredded leaves 6″ deep—prevents erosion, feeds soil life.
5. Plan layout: Sketch beds (4 ft wide max), paths, crop rotation (3-yr cycle).

Spring Advantage

• Beds warm faster; just rake back mulch and plant.
• Weed seed bank depleted by smothering.
• Soil biology active early.

Toronto-Specific Crops

• Cool-season: peas, spinach, radish, kale (direct sow April).
• Warm-season: tomatoes, peppers, beans, cukes (transplant late May).
• Herbs: parsley, chives, thyme, oregano (perennial).

Fall work = spring joy. Your future self will thank you.