Some people are under the impression that once they've planted their gardens, apart from watering and weeding, the work is done until next spring. That couldn't be further from the truth. There are so many things you can do to ensure a successful lawn and garden for the following year. Besides, it's just plain fun to get back digging in those beds again.
Clean-Up
Now is the time to rake up any leaves or mulch them with your mower. Your grass requires sunlight to thrive, even when it appears dormant. Collect up all your old planters, wash them out well and stack them in a wooden crate or similar container. Set them safely on a shelf until next spring.
Composting Lawns
In the late fall, early winter, apply a well screened compost to your lawn to protect and nourish your grass in the spring months. Spread the compost using the back of a rake until the compost is about 1/3 of an inch in depth (any deeper and you may smother your grass). It should settle on the soil between the blades throughout the winter, and once spring comes, the rains will spread the nutrients throughout your grass, fertilizing it in the coming months.
Plant Winter Color
Take an inventory of your plants and their blooming times. If you have bleak, colorless yard over the winter months, perhaps you need to plant some berrying plants for added pizzazz. Yaupon, Possum Haw and American Beauty Berry all work well. Pyracantha, also known as fire thorn, is also beautiful, but watch for the prickles.
Plant Bulbs
Ensure spring color by planting bulbs now. This is also the time to plant your garlic for harvest next July.
Rejuvenate Old Plants
The season is nearing an end and your plants may not look their best, but this is no reason to give up on them. Tomato plants are a good example of this. After putting all their energy into bearing fruit, they start looking ragged and you may be tempted to throw them out. These plants still have plenty of life in them. Select a vine and clear off all the leaves, insert into the soil and give it some water. Tomatoes root easily and within a couple of weeks you should see evidence of a new plant. Cut it away from the main plant, and voila you have a new tomato plant ready to flourish for the fall growing season.
Examine your beds to see how your plants have done. If there are any that have become overgrown now is the time to thin them out and perhaps replant their cuttings in other areas.
Pruning
Most of your pruning will be done towards the end of winter, however spring bloomers such as azaleas should be pruned after they finish their bloom cycle. If their bloom buds have already started to form, you may be cutting away future spring blooms, so watch for this.
Containers
If your containers or window boxes are starting to look old, it may be time to add a fall theme. Plant some ornamental grass as a focal point, add some mums or pansies, coleus and trailing ivy for an autumn garden. Add a small pumpkin or gourds for an extra touch.
Clean-Up
Now is the time to rake up any leaves or mulch them with your mower. Your grass requires sunlight to thrive, even when it appears dormant. Collect up all your old planters, wash them out well and stack them in a wooden crate or similar container. Set them safely on a shelf until next spring.
Composting Lawns
In the late fall, early winter, apply a well screened compost to your lawn to protect and nourish your grass in the spring months. Spread the compost using the back of a rake until the compost is about 1/3 of an inch in depth (any deeper and you may smother your grass). It should settle on the soil between the blades throughout the winter, and once spring comes, the rains will spread the nutrients throughout your grass, fertilizing it in the coming months.
Plant Winter Color
Take an inventory of your plants and their blooming times. If you have bleak, colorless yard over the winter months, perhaps you need to plant some berrying plants for added pizzazz. Yaupon, Possum Haw and American Beauty Berry all work well. Pyracantha, also known as fire thorn, is also beautiful, but watch for the prickles.
Plant Bulbs
Ensure spring color by planting bulbs now. This is also the time to plant your garlic for harvest next July.
Rejuvenate Old Plants
The season is nearing an end and your plants may not look their best, but this is no reason to give up on them. Tomato plants are a good example of this. After putting all their energy into bearing fruit, they start looking ragged and you may be tempted to throw them out. These plants still have plenty of life in them. Select a vine and clear off all the leaves, insert into the soil and give it some water. Tomatoes root easily and within a couple of weeks you should see evidence of a new plant. Cut it away from the main plant, and voila you have a new tomato plant ready to flourish for the fall growing season.
Examine your beds to see how your plants have done. If there are any that have become overgrown now is the time to thin them out and perhaps replant their cuttings in other areas.
Pruning
Most of your pruning will be done towards the end of winter, however spring bloomers such as azaleas should be pruned after they finish their bloom cycle. If their bloom buds have already started to form, you may be cutting away future spring blooms, so watch for this.
Containers
If your containers or window boxes are starting to look old, it may be time to add a fall theme. Plant some ornamental grass as a focal point, add some mums or pansies, coleus and trailing ivy for an autumn garden. Add a small pumpkin or gourds for an extra touch.