Monday, March 3, 2014
Fall Garden Maintenance Tips Its that time Again!
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| Skip Laurel |
Watering During Fall Winter: A common question often asked is, "Is it better to keep watering my plants until the ground freezes or should I stop watering now?" It is important that prior to winter that there is significant moisture around your plants. Evergreens do not lose their leaves so they continue to transpire or lose water over the winter months and once the ground freezes it is difficult for water to percolate down to the roots. A well watered tree will over winter far better than a thirsty one and will not be as susceptible to winter frost damage and drying. Continue to water until the ground freezes. |
| Heuchera (Coral Bells) Caramel |
Weeding: Do some Fall weeding and garden maintenance now to prevent weeds from getting out of control in the spring. Dispose of weeds that may have seeds on them in the garbage and not in the compost. Put a clean edge on your garden beds to prevent grass from invading and remove any decaying debris to prevent fungal infection.
Clean up your Perennial Garden: Remove any expired foliage and stalks that could decay over winter. Cut perennials four to five inches above the ground and apply a thin layer of mulch. Some perennials such as ornamental grasses should be left to cut down until late winter-early spring. For more info visit Fall Garden Maintenance: Pruning & Dividing Ornamental Grasses and Perennials.
Pruning Trees & Shrubs: Early summer blooming trees and shrubs form their buds immediately after flowering subsides so pruning them too late may remove next years blooms. These shrubs should be pruned immediately after flowering. Late summer flowering trees and shrubs benefit from pruning in fall while they are dormant. Do not prune roses such as Knock Out Rose in fall. Pruning encourages new growth that may not harden off in time for winter. For more information and a list of pruning times follow the link above.
Bulbs: Plant spring blooming bulbs such as crocus, hyacinth and daffodils now in the fall before the ground freezes.
Lawn Maintenance: Clean up leaves from your lawn or mulch them. Spray to control broadleaved weeds and apply a lawn fertilizer in late fall to encourage a healthier and greener lawn in spring. Cut your lawn a final time before winter.
A little Fall garden maintenance now will save you time in spring and give your garden a good and healthy start. On that note...out to the garden!
As Always...Happy Gardening!
Clean up your Perennial Garden: Remove any expired foliage and stalks that could decay over winter. Cut perennials four to five inches above the ground and apply a thin layer of mulch. Some perennials such as ornamental grasses should be left to cut down until late winter-early spring. For more info visit Fall Garden Maintenance: Pruning & Dividing Ornamental Grasses and Perennials.
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| Knock Out Rose |
Bulbs: Plant spring blooming bulbs such as crocus, hyacinth and daffodils now in the fall before the ground freezes.
Lawn Maintenance: Clean up leaves from your lawn or mulch them. Spray to control broadleaved weeds and apply a lawn fertilizer in late fall to encourage a healthier and greener lawn in spring. Cut your lawn a final time before winter.
A little Fall garden maintenance now will save you time in spring and give your garden a good and healthy start. On that note...out to the garden!
As Always...Happy Gardening!
Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012. All rights reserved
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