What to do to prep for spring gardening in the fall?

I live in the midwest and would like to know what I can do now for preparing next springs gardening. Would it be wise to dig up areas now for planting in spring? Also, what perennials are good for Wisconsin?

I now live in St. Louis, but lived in Minnesota for 5 years, and whatever you are going to do you should have a plan executed by the endof October! I would stake out the area(s) you can use pegs and string, remove all grass(It’s just a thing I have about it coming back) and til the areas, dig at least 6-8 inches down, and loosen the dirt really well. Don’t worry about lumps and all, you can let the area sit over the winter, the gorund will be ready to plant in Spring.
my zone for planting in StL is 5, and I know you can plant alot of things under zone 5. You will want to watch your areas for amount of sun and shade as most perennials are pretty particular to those specifics. Full sun means at least 6 hours….part sun is anything less than that. You can spend the winter planning your flowers so you don’t “impulse” buy! You can plan your colors, heights, textures, and blooming times. It would be fun to draw it out on paper. There are alot of gardening sites and plant shopping sites that have great info. Some of your plants can be ordered on line and you can save money and time. This may be alot more than what you were wanting to do, and you can modify it. The most important thing for success is knowing your plants and that comes from research.
I have had to do alot of plants trial and error. Although the plant is zoned for your area sometimes they just don’t do well, so be patient, gardening is just that “trial and error” Good luck and have fun

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My husband and I just bought our first home and I'm very excited about planting my own flower beds and vegetable garden. I don't want to do anything extravagent, just basic beginner stuff until i learn more. Unfortunately I'm starting from ground zero with little to no knowledge on gardening and am in desperate need of some good resources.

hi there im from uk i grew up with organic gardening from flowers to veg gardening is all about trial and error dont set yourself too high a task flowers with low maintanance are best to start off with ie bulbs and tubers that come up every year then grow your own from seed its very rewarding and veggies tomatoes and peas are good to start off with if you want a quick result some hanging baskets with lobelia and petunia are nice roses and french marigolds are good for borders ive recently purchased a good book readers digest complete guide to gardening season by season id reccomend to anyone to get it if you require any more advice id be happy to help you can email me best of luck to you

Have a tiny 20"x20" garden laid to lawn. From Asia, know nothing about gardening here.How do I grow a flower filled garden? I've heard that you need to prepare the garden in autumn/winter to have flowers in summer. Need advice from ABC please!

What you're talking about is planting bulbs. If you plant flower bulbs in the fall, they weill bloom in the spring summer. But you can also plant seeds in the spring or even buy seedlings and plant those as well. This is a good website with tons of gardening information -http://www.gardenweb.com/

I've just got into gardening, I was wanting a graph or information on when to plant things. I really like vegatable gardens. I was thinking about starting a winter garden, I just don't know where to start. I'll be really greatful for any help.

This question has gone six days without an answer. Here is my favorite gardening website:

http://www.gardenguides.com/

There are hundreds of thousands of websites devoted to gardening. A Yahoo search for "southern gardening" (include the quotation marks) and other similarly worded searches will turn up more site than you care to explore.

Good luck with your search.

Does anyone know where I can buy Vermiculite for gardening other than online?

Try your local garden center or greenhouse.

Seriously I like gardening. I like growing corns and pomegranates, I like to plant things that can be eaten. Not because I am poor but when I plant things I like stuff that can be eaten.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/

Is the largest and best gardening forum on the internet. There is a forum for ever topic imaginable. And unlike some places that I won't name you don't have to pay to see all of the posts and forums.

I'm thinking of setting up my own gardening business. What's the going rate for mowing, weeding, clearing, planting, pruning, laying paths and patios, installing sheds, decking, fencing, outdoor lights, ponds etc?

Expect to pay minimum wage, of at least £5-35 per hour

I'd like to install a raised bed for vegetable gardening this year. I think this will allow me more control over the soil quality. What's the cheapest and easiest way to go about it? Should I buy one of the ready-made beds available online?
In case I wasn't clear, the soil is not my concern, it's the actual bed itself. Should I try to build one, or buy one that snaps together?

If you are handy at building then you should build one yourself. When you buy prefabricated kits you are then locked into size and design. Building one yourself will give you much more flexibility.
Not sure if this post will help but I thought I would give you the option of reading. Good luck and the neat thing is you will be gardening no mater which way you decide to go.
http://naturehills.com/gardening/blogs/common_questions_answered/archive/2008/02/13/raised-bed-gardening.aspx

I have just bought a tractor and going to gardening next spring.

Lettuce - onions - carrots - radishes - broccoli

She always shows up in my yard while I am gardening. She wears loose tops and bends over in front of me so that I can see her breasts. She never is wearing a bra either.

It is having an effect on me now, how do I handle?
We are both married and I know flirting. She is flirting with me, she fancies me. My wife even picked up on this. My problem is she is very attractive and my temptation is growing. An attractive woman really knows how to work it and make perfectly good husband have nasty thoughts.

First of all, I respect that you want to respect her, and respect yourself by not oogling her.
I would very sternly ask her to stop coming over. Or make it clear that if she would like to visit you that she needs to dress more modestly. That you are not wanting or desiring a "show". This will probably embarrass her enough to make her stop.
If you have a reason (i.e. faith, marriage, recovering sex addict) than be honest with her. Let her know that she is making herself into an emotional problem in your life by her dress and behaviour.
I'm sure she will try to be more helpful if you are honest.