It is Fall, what should you be doing in your yard?
WINTERIZING!!
Planting...
It is time to plant your Spring-blooming bulbs such as tulips or daffodils.
It is time to plant trees and shrubs! This gives them a chance to get their roots a head start for our brutal, hot summers.
Prunning...
Type of Plant
Timing of Prunning
How to Prune
Perennials
After first hard frost
Almost to the ground
Roses
After first hard frost
Prune heavy leaving 1/3 of the rose
Hydrangeas
After first hard frost
Prune about half of the plant
Deciduous Shrubs
After first hard frost
Prune about half of the plant
Crape Myrtles
January or February
Prune heavy or Light...it's your choice!
Clean Up...
Apply mulch to create a 'winter blanket' to help protect from winter's elements. Simply lay lightweight organic mulch, such as pinestraw, over beds and around plants. Applying mulch also prevents early spring weeds from appearing.
Rake leaves and dispose of them. preferably in a compost pile. Failing to rake leaves can result in a dying or diseased lawn.
Pull up any annual flowers or vegetables destroyed by frost. Pot and bring indoors annuals that you want to keep to replant in spring. Dispose of any annuals in a compost pile; if you suspect disease, throw them in the garbage.
Weed. Fall action prevents weeds from getting a head start next spring, saving you work in the long run.
On very cold nights you can put a blanket on delicate plants like Sago Palms, to add a little extra protection. NEVER use plastic, it can severely burn plants.
FERTILIZING...
Do NOT fertilize your outdoor plants during the winter. Active fertilizer on plants during winter can lead to winter burn, which can kill plants. Save your money and apply a time release fertilizer on or near April 15th.
PEST CONTROL...
Spray shrubs and trees, if needed, with horticulture oil to protect from aphids, scale and other pests.
WATER...
Plants get thirsty in winter too!! Please don't forget to water plant during fall and winter. Water plants every other day (unless it rains) for the first year and 1-2 times per week for subswquent years. Their foliage and stems need to be nice and plump to prevent damage from cold drying winds now through early spring.
