With the end of summer now upon us it doesn't mean your lawn and garden improvements also have to end
Cooler early autumn temperatures make for pleasant days of outside work. Start by making a master checklist of all the things you’d like to accomplish before the snow flies, and post it on your refrigerator or message board. When the weather is pleasant and you have a few free hours, tackle one project at a time and enjoy crossing them off your list.Ÿ Fertilize - Fall is a great time to feed the lawn. This puts energy into the roots for a better lawn next spring.
Ÿ Sow new grass - Warm soil, lots of rain, and cool air temperatures all combine to make this an ideal time to fill in bare spots.
Ÿ Aerate - After mowing and fertilizing, aerate your lawn. It’s a good idea to water your lawn a day or two before you do this to ensure deeper plugs.
Ÿ Prune - Don’t prune spring flowering shrubs/bushes, but do prune any shrubs with dead or diseased wood with hand clippers or a small saw. Don’t cut branches flush with the main stem.
Ÿ Bring in plants - If the temperature drops below 45 degrees, bring in any plants you plan to overwinter indoors.
Ÿ Divide and plant perennials - By dividing your perennials, you provide for less crowded root conditions, resulting in healthier plants with more plants next season. Transplant to new areas, or better yet, share extras with a friend. You can mix in compost as you transplant to give them a head start next spring.
Ÿ Weed - Pull them by hand as much as possible, and minimize the use of any toxic weed killers. If you do use a herbicide, it will travel to the roots, where weeds move their carbohydrates (energy) in cooler temperatures.
Ÿ Remove debris - Get rid of dead stems, fallen branches, anything that clutters your yard and garden areas. This includes annual plants that are past their prime and have already set seed. They will only sap energy from the soil.
Ÿ Harvest - If frost threatens, be sure to provide protection for garden plants and/or harvest any remaining produce. Green tomatoes can be ripened indoors, and plants can also be moved to sheltered areas or greenhouses to extend the growing season.
Ÿ Collect seeds - Collect seeds from annuals like marigolds, sunflowers, and any of your other favorites. Vegetable seeds can be collected, too; remember that hybrids and some other seeds won’t reproduce true to form, so don’t waste time with those. Consult a gardening guide for more information.
Ÿ Clean out birdhouses - Clean and disinfect birdhouses so they’re ready for your feathered friends to start their families in early spring.
Ÿ Turn over soil - Rototill garden soil and add compost. You may want to plant a crop such as winter wheat to add nutrients to the soil over the cold months.
Ÿ Clean/winterize - Fountains and other water sources may need to be emptied, cleaned, and winterized before temperatures fall too far to avoid damage. The same goes for concrete lawn ornaments – move them into a shed or sheltered area to prolong their life and avoid cracking.
Ÿ Plant spring flowering bulbs - A little work now will reward you with beautiful blooms after a long, cold winter. Make sure you plant to proper depths. This is also a good time to divide bulbs and replant them elsewhere.
Ÿ Plant fruit trees - Fall is a great time to plant trees. Plant two different varieties if cross-pollination is required. Water and fertilize twice a year.
Ÿ Compost - Autumn leaves provide great fodder for composting. Alternate brown and green layers, don’t use any meat scraps in the mix, and avoid clippings sprayed with pesticides.
Ÿ Garden - Yes, garden. Spinach, carrots, peas, broccoli, and brussels sprouts are all examples of cool weather garden plants. Tear out the non-producing bean and other plants and grow fall/winter vegetables in their place.