7 Gardening Tips For Fall

Gardening: David Seff

It is finally Autumn, and as you’re enjoy fall foliage and the cooler weather, gardeners are preparing their lawns and gardens for the winter. You’ve spent spring and summer, planting and harvesting, but now it’s time to protect for the new season. Here are 7 tips for maintaining your garden and yard during fall:

1) Moisturizing

It’s important for your plants to have enough moisture during the drying months. Water all of your plants including trees and bushes with an inch of water at least once a week. Pay special attention to green fruit or berry plants that are extremely susceptible to dry weather.

2) Mowing

You have a few more weeks left for mowing. For your last trim, you can set the height a little higher (only a quarter or half of an inch). This will help protect the grass’s roots in winter. If you allow the grass to get too high, it will be damaged by leaves and snow in the coming months.

3) Fertilizing

Fertilizers for fall are equipped with ingredients to support root growth. Purchase and lay out your fertilizer in mid-to-late fall to reap the best benefits. Fertilizers containing herbicides are great for fighting broadleaf weeds.

4) Sodding

Sod does wonders for the soil when it’s laid down in moderate temps like in spring or fall because there is less exposure to the scorching sun.  It provides an instant lawn while aiding in the production of a lush, vibrant, and weed-free yard. It’s also important to replenish mulches around trees and bushes to help protect them from upcoming, harsh weather conditions.

5) Attacking Weeds

As the winter weeds come in, it’s important to devise a plan of attack. Promoting healthy growth and grooming your lawn regularly is the best defense, but there isn’t always time in your day for that. You can apply a pre-emergence herbicide when they begin to sprout.

6) Aerating

During fall, aerating improves growing conditions by allowing the soil to breath. The machine removes small plugs by poking small punctures into the soil.

7) Removing Dead Leaves

While a light cover of leaves is festive and fine, a heavy covering can be seriously detrimental to your yard. As the leaves compact, they create an impervious layer that holds onto water and creates darkness that encourages funguses to grow. You need to remove leaves from your yard regularly, and you can use a mulching mower to do this. This will probably be the most time-consuming task, but it will be the most rewarding.
Info courtesy of Mcall and Waxahachietx.