Fall Landscape Tips!

FALL is for planting!  That’s the industry slogan that says it all. Fall is an excellent time to install lawns, large trees and new landscapes with less stress on plants and YOU.

v    Plant spring flowering bulbs September through November.

v    Apply Fertilome Winterizer Fertilizer to the lawn to encourage healthy root systems for a thick, lust lawn in the spring.

v    Dethatch old tired lawns and overseed.

v    Maintain lawn pH at 6.5 or slightly above by adding lime.

v    Maintain 2-3 inches of mulch on landscape beds for winter protection.

v    Check for scale (white or gray spots) on woody branches of shrubs and spray with Scalecide.

v    To relocate trees and shrubs in your garden late fall is a good time to dig and replant.

v    Rhododendron, holly, azalea and evergreens that receive the harsh winter winds can be sprayed with Wilt-Pruf to protect them against the drying weather.

v    Add leaves to your compost pile.  Incorporate nitrogen into the pile to speed breakdown.  Turning regularly aerates the pile helps the process.

v    Many perennials planted for 4-5 years may need to be divided to rejuvenate plant.

v    Water gardening – After the first frost prune foliage of hardy water lilies down to 2”.  Place hardy plants to the deepest part of pond.  Tropical plants should be brought indoors for the winter.  Place tropical plants in peat moss and keep watered under a grow light. 

v    Remove pond pump in late fall and early winter before freezing, clean and store for next year.

v    Remove fallen leaves from the pond as soon as possible.  Placing a net over pond may help with this problem.

v    Stop feeding fish when pond temperatures drop to 50F.

v    Give the landscape a generous watering before the ground freezes.