Keep in mind that we can get snow any time now but I don't think the ground will freeze for at least a month. What I'd like to do is get some aged manure and put about 2 inches between the flowers in the gardens then, using a garden fork, work that, and the old mulch, into the top few inches of soil between the perennials, or deeper where there is room, then refresh the mulch. Would that be worth the work or just let nature work it all in?
If you have freeze heave (the ground freezing then thawing, and freezing again) I'd just let Mother do the work. When we lived in upstate NY we just left things alone for the winter, then in the spring scratched in any mulch and added fertilizer at the first sign of new growth. If the first freeze is late, the new fertilizer (aged manure) might stimulate the plants to put out new growth, which would be killed by the cold weather to come. I think that fertilizing in the spring would be more productive. Refreshing the mulch at the same time would protect the plants' roots, and deter weeds.
I couldn't have told you better than what marlingardener said. No fertilizer until spring and mulching is good anytime. We lost so many bushes last year because we had some nasty weather, I am hoping it will be kinder to us this winter. We need snow on the ground before we get our nasty cold weather for protection.
I like to do the fertilization and mulching in the spring. I do try to get some mulch put around the plants that have recently been planted, or in any spots that have become bare.
I like ammending soil in the spring and fall. Fall is a better time for me personally because the weather is cooler and easier to work in, and I'm not rushing with everything else on my list like I am in the spring. Fall for me is sort of like getting prepared to plant and enjoy- not prepare, plant and enjoy. Fertilizing for me is the same as OP- working manure and compost into soil or topdressing with well rotted compost, like using a heavy layer of mulch. And with the freeze and thaw here too, the compost works it's way in well. Layer compost and then some chopped up fallen leaves and bingo!
Thank you for all of your advise. I decided to spread about 3 inches of shredded leaves and early next spring I'll add the manure, compost, and mulch.
Good choice. Fertilizing in the Fall tends to make new soft growth and make the plant more susceptible to winter damage. Some and maybe most of any nutritional benefit from the manure will get washed/leached away in and Fall or winter rains.
