Fall Landscaping Tips
Once the weather turns chilly, tending to your lawn and outdoor landscaping becomes of the utmost importance. Maintaining a healthy yard during the autumn months is very important if your lawn, plants, and foliage are to survive and stay healthy through the coldest months of the year. Through regular fall mulching, consistent watering and lawn care, and protecting delicate plants from harsh weather, your yard will stay fruitful and lively for years to come. Read on for how to keep your yard healthy with the best fall landscaping tips.
FALL MULCHING
As fall is your last hurrah before winter hits, it is the ideal time to prepare your yard for what is to come. One great way to give your plants and yard a helping hand is by mulching in the fall. This is the perfect time to do so because mulch helps to protect plant roots from frost damage. It also assists them in retaining moisture during the cold and dry winter months. Spread 2-3 inches of hardwood shredded mulch around shrubs and trees. Avoid using cheap dump mulch which often contains diseased spores and can do more harm than good. If you have grass, using fertilizer is a great idea as well.
REMOVE DEAD AND DYING PLANTS
Pruning is something best avoided in the autumn. Instead, autumn is the time to remove dead and dying plants, shrubs, and leaves from your yard. Remove dead annuals and blooms, cut back dead and dying perennials and grasses, and take time to lightly prune dead or dying branches from trees and shrubs. Remove dead blossoms from hydrangea, but leave dead stalks as these will sprout new blossoms in spring. When the first frost hits, ensure you cut back tea roses to a third of their height. Harsh winter weather can dry and damage delicate shrubs, so it is important to protect them from the elements. Wrap shrubs in burlap and surround vulnerable trees with shredded leaves.
FALL WATERING TIPS
Proper watering techniques are paramount in the fall and winter months when maintaining your yard. Your lawn will not need nearly as much water in the autumn months as it does during spring and summer. Too much water can do more harm to your lawn than good, so it is important to keep a moderate water routine. Watering twice a week in the early hours of morning is ideal. Water for approximately 20 minutes each session.
If your climate receives snow in the winter months, then cease watering by the end of September or October as this is the period when your lawn will enter its dormant state. Pull any weeds, as needed, and cut your lawn gradually shorter, but not too short. The blades of grass should be 2-3 inches long as this will help your lawn retain moisture, but minimize any issues with lawn pests and infections.
Spring may seem the most important season for lawn care and ensuring a healthy yard, but autumn preparations are just as important. In fact, a good, consistent lawn and plant care routine during the autumn months will ensure that your lawn, plants, shrubs, trees, and garden survive harsh winter weather and bloom healthier than ever when spring finally does return. For help with maintaining your landscape all year, contact Pioneer Landscape Centers today.
MORE FALL LANDSCAPING TIPS & PRODUCTS
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