Fall 2008
Return to Index

FALL TO DO LIST FOR THE YARD & GARDEN
By Guilia

✓ PREPARE LAWNS - Apply a fertilizer to give your lawn a great head start next Spring! We have two "All Natural" options- Milorganite, a non-burning fertilizer & Weed Prevention Plus, which in addition to fertilizing contains a pre-emergent to help stop weeds from popping up next Spring.

✓ PREPARE FLOWERBEDS - You can cut back your perennials now, but hold on...don't cut back too far! A little bit of foliage left behind goes a long way in protecting against frost damage. Give your plants a dose of Milorganite or compost, and for as little weeding as possible next spring, apply a pre-emergent to your beds.

✓ PREPARE TREES - Wrap tree trunks to protect them from a variety of critters that might gnaw away at the bark through the winter. And, don't forget to spray your Evergreens with Wilt-pruf. This makes a huge difference in protecting them from harsh winter wind and sun. This is also a good time to apply the yearly systemic treatment to Spruce trees to prevent them from getting the Tip Weevil.

✓ PLANT! - Fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs, perennials and wildflower seed. Just wait to throw your seed out until just before the snow is here to stay. Otherwise the wind and birds might take a toll on your exposed seed.

✓ SPRING BLOOMING BULBS - Wait until mid to late Oct. to plant bulbs, depending on the weather of course. For long-lived, deer resistant bulbs, we recommend- Daffodils, Grape Hyacinth, and Alliums. Tulips are obviously a "must have" too, but tend to be more susceptible to becoming deer food!

✓ PRUNE - Fall is a good time to prune Spirea and Potentilla shrubs. It's also a good time to cut out all the dead wood in all your other shrubs.

✓ WATER PLANTS - Plants like to go into the winter with moist soil. If we have had a dry fall be sure to give them some water before the ground freezes.

✓ APPLY GYPSUM - to areas that receive heavy salt build up from winter road crews. Gypsum neutralizes the soil allowing plants a better chance to grow in these areas.

✓ APPLY MOLE & VOLE REPELLANT - to deter these critters from digging burrows through your lawn and flower beds throughout the winter.

✓ WINTERIZE SPRINKLER SYSTEM - In order to prevent freezing and breakage in your irrigation lines over the winter, call the Sprinkler Barn to schedule a "Blow out" for this fall 649-0169, or sign up online at parkcitynursery.com

✓ PLAN AHEAD FOR GORGEOUS SPRING FLOWER POTS - bring your flower pots in now and we'll have them mature and overflowing with beauty by late spring, when you can pick them up! This cuts out all the "Waiting for your flowers to grow!"

A FEW GOOD REASONS FOR FALL PLANTING...

Let's cut to the chase, Fall is an excellent time to plant because:
  1. Plants are on usually on SALE and that makes planting less expensive!!!!
  2. When Plants are installed in the Fall, the ROOTS start growing very early the following Spring before you can actually plant - giving them a jump-start!
  3. When the weather permits comfortable planting conditions - take advantage!
  4. While you're digging holes for BULBS, you may as well plant something bigger.
  5. If you are having plants installed by us, we are not as busy so we can get to your job even faster than in the Spring and early Summer.
  6. You don't have to water very long before Mother Nature takes over.
  7. Why Not? If you have the time now, go ahead and do it!