Fall Lawn and Garden Care

Fall is right around the corner and before I know it, the weather will cool down, the leaves will change and I'll start dreaming of cider and apple pie. Unfortunately, lawn care is never on the top of my list of things to-do in the fall and every spring I regret not spending a little more time the year before. This year, I'm determined to change that.

If you're like me, you may not know what you're supposed to do in the fall. I've done the hard work and research for you, so you just need to follow along.

Lawn

1.) Fertilize - It's important to fertilize in the fall. This will help keep your lawn healthy at the last portion of the growing season so it can go dormant over the winter without dying. Experts recommend 2 fertilizer applications - 1 right after labor day and the other around the time you make your last mow. In cold areas, choose a quick-release nitrogen-rich formula. In southern or western climates, choose a control-release formula.

2.) Eliminate broadleaf weeds - Dandelions, plantain and ground ivy are more susceptible to weed killers in the fall.  Choose a selective herbicide to take care of the hard work for you so you don't wind up pulling weeds throughout the next year.

3.) Mow the lawn - You'll want to keep up with your normal mowing routine until the lawn stops growing. Use the mulching mode so the grass and leaves can chop more finely and decompose easier. If your mower doesn't have that setting, bag the leaves using the machine's bagger and put them in a compost pile.

4.) Spread some seed - Give your lawn the seeds it needs to get a head start in the spring. If you live in a warm area, fall is the best time to seed new lawn or repair patches in your old lawn. If you live in a colder climate, wait until the soil thaws to put down your seed and let it lie dormant until the spring. You can cover the lawn with straw or mulch to keep the seeds safe from birds.

5.) Dethatch or aerate or both - Both processes can help improve drainage and supply oxygen to your grass. In cool areas, dethatch and aerate if there's another month before the first frost. In Norhtern states, mid-October is already too late.

6.) Test the soil - A soil test can tell you a lot of things about the condition of your lawn. It can tell you the current pH and what nutrients are lacking. 

7.) Water it - If you haven't had a whole lot of rain, feel free to water your lawn. The summer droughts should be over, so give it a good watering to help strengthen roots before the cold winter weather beats down on it.

Trees and Shrubs

If you live in a cold region, you can plant trees, shrubs and vines through the end of October. This gives the plants time to grow roots in the still-warm soil before the temperatures drop. If you live in an area with a mild winter, the planting season extends a little farther. Soak the root ball before planting for the best results.

You should also wrap the young trees with mesh hardware to prevent mice and rodents from feasting on the tender bark when the pickings get slim. Leave about an inch between the mesh and the trunk and make sure you bury the mesh at least 3 inches into the soil.  Remove it in the spring.

If you have boxwood, holly or rhododendrons, you should cover the plants with burlap or old sheets to protect the leaves. Use stakes and burlap material to make sure it doesn't weigh down the branches of the plant and secure the dressings with staples. The material will shade the bushes from wind and harsh winter sun to prevent the plant from losing too much moisture.

You can also water trees and shrubs around your yard if the rain has been light to help them develop roots before the winter sets in.

Some types of trees and shrubs should be pruned. If you have one of these, you can prune lightly in the fall to remove broken or damaged limbs or to provide shaping. Summer isn't the only time you can prune, so if it's September or early October, don't be afraid to give your plants a hair cut.

Flowers and Gardens

1.) Plant bulbs - Fall is the season to plant springtime bulbs in most of the country. Aim to have them in the ground by late October. Put them in the ground 5 to 8 inches deep and follow the directions on the package.

2.) Plant garlic -  Look at your local nursery to get garlic bulbs. Plant them outdoors in good soil 1 to 2 inches deep and 4 inches apart. The bulbs need to winter over before sprouting a green stalk in the spring and eventually creating a new garlic bulb in the late summer.

3.) Plant annuals - If you have a wild winter, you can get a crop of cabbage, kale, pansies, primroses or violas. These flowers will be the last of the season, but the cold-weather crops are always a treat.

4.) Protect roses - Most roses can't stand temperatures below 10 degrees, so you should mound soil over the plants central crown or bud. Wrap it with a wire or mesh cylinder to protect the stem and fill it with a light mulch like composted bark.

5.) Mulch - You can spread compost, composted cedar, pine, fir bark or weed-free straw in the fall to get your garden ready for the spring. After the winter, just till it in and you'll be all set to plant new crops.

 

6.) Divide your perennials - You can fill in empty spaces throughout your yard with perennials in the fall. If you have any plants that are overcrowded, divide and conquer the mess roughly a month before the frost sets in. To divide, lit the entire root mass then use a fork or small shovel to separate a clump. Cut back the leaves to 2 ro 3 inches and replant.