Get your lawn and landscape ready for the cold

months again

With summer behind us and plant growth slowing

considerably, it may be tempting to put yard work on

the back burner. However, there’s still work to be

done on your property before winter arrives. Here

are some basic items to take care of in Fall:

Your lawn

•

If your turf hasn’t been aerated yet, have it done

soon. This will help to break up the thatch layer

and improve the flow of air, water and nutrients

to the roots.

•

Be sure that your lawn gets at least one heavy

dose of fertilizer. This will promote a deeper,

stronger root system for earlier, thicker green-up

in the spring.

•

You should continue mowing your lawn as long as

the grass keeps growing, with a final mowing

height of 1 ½ to 2 ½ going into winter (shorter

grass will be less susceptible to snow mold and

powdery mildew diseases.)

•

Remove leaves and other debris that can smother

your grass over the winter.

Your landscape

•

Trees and shrubs will benefit significantly from an

application of fertilizer.

•

Spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils

should be planted now. Keep in mind that they

need to be planted where they’ll get lots of sun-

light in the spring.

•

Bird baths should be emptied, and consider drain-

ing any garden pools prevent freezing damage

over the winter.

•

Add mulch to your planting beds.

•

Perennials can be cut back now, and spent annu-

als should be removed.

•

Start planning now for any dormant/off-season

pruning that needs to be done on your property.

See to these tasks now, and you’ll notice a big differ-

ence in the looks and health of your lawn and land-

scape when spring returns!