Preparing Ahead for a Greener Lawn and Healthy Garden in Summer
Fall is one of the most beautiful and exhilarating times of the year. One can walk for hours in the sunshine and crisp air to view the spectacular array of fall colors all around.
It’s the time of year when we all think about the long, cold winter months ahead and start taking stock and inventory of all that we have and may need to replenish before the first snow. It’s also the time of year that we clean up our patios and gardens, put away our lawn furniture into storage and clean up our yards.
Here’s a simple list to help you get underway to ensure a thick, lush, green lawn and robust garden next year;
- Rake and remove all leaves and debris from lawns and gardens. Place them in rubber bins or paper bags for recycling.
- Roses and perennial flowers should be trimmed back and surrounded by clean mulch to protect them from frost.
- Prune all trees and shrubs to ensure proper form.
- Overseed lawn areas where needed, especially thin or bare patches.
- Burlap/winterize trees and shrubs, to protect from strong winds and heavy snow that can damage them.
- Weed and remove all dead annuals in beds, urns and pots.
- Transplant shrubs and trees wherever necessary that have become too large or need more appropriate light conditions.
- Replenish soil and plant bulbs such as tulips, hyacinth, daffodils, and crocuses for spectacular color in spring.
- Tilling of gardens and working the soil to ensure proper aeration and water flow.
- Aerate and de-thatch lawns for thick and green growth.
- Use fertilization starter for lawns (that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and iron)
It sounds like a lot to do, but gardens and lawns are usually that, a lot of work, but the end result is more than worth it. Take it in small steps; work a few hours a day or break it up in several weekends until all the work is done. If you consistently work in your garden, your garden becomes more manageable and less time consuming. So get started and get raking!
