Fall landscape tips for September through November
How to Care for Trees and Shrubs in the Fall:
- Prune as necessary
- Fertilize using a balanced fertilizer as needed
- Inspect for insects and disease
- Check for signs of damage
- Treat as necessary
- Fall Oil Spray
Caring for Your Lawn in the Fall:
- Apply post-emergent weed control as needed
- Inspect for insects and diseases – Treat as necessary
- Aerate and Over-seed – starting August 15-October 15 – This will give the new grass time to establish before winter
- Routine Maintenance – Mow, trim, and edge lawn areas as needed
- Remove fall leaves from lawns as necessary
Fall Softscape Prep (Planted Beds):
- Remove leaves, weeds, sticks, and other debris
- Apply post-emergent weed control as needed
- Fertilize by October 1st
- Inspect for insects and diseases – Treat as necessary
- Routine Maintenance – Deadhead, weed, and fertilize as necessary
- Install fall flowers (such as mums) from September 15- October 15
- Dig up delicate bulbs for storage
- Divide and/or transplant other perennials (daylilies, iris, etc.)
- Begin planting spring bulbs (tupils, daffodils, crocus, etc.)
Hardscapes (Water Features, Irrigation, Outdoor Lighting, Driveways, Patios, and Walks):
- Water Features – Drain and winterize before the first freeze
- Irrigation Systems – Turn off and winterize before first freeze
- Outdoor Lighting – Reset automatic timers on outdoor lighting when Daylight Savings Time ends
- Inspect outdoor lighting fixtures, replacing bulbs if necessary
- Driveways, Patios, and Walks – Inspect for and fix and uneven surfaces
Additional Items to Think About in the Fall:
- Fall clean up – It is important to remove leaves from the ground so as to not harbor any unnecessary fungi or diseases
- Begin the planning and designing phases for next year’s landscape projects by deciding on an appropriate landscape design firm
- Arrange for consultant with your landscape design firm to take measurements and survey current conditions before the ground is covered with snow
- Finalize winter service contracts for snow removal, deer-netting, dormant season pruning, etc.
- Arrange and schedule a contractor or home-repair specialist for wintertime home-improvement projects
- Cut back Perennials
For more information regarding Fall Cleanups, contact us at Farmside today!
