Fall
The Importance of Fall Fertilization
If you fertilized your trees, shrubs and perennials in the spring, it should probably be done again now. The best rationale for fall fertilization is explained in the process a plant uses to convert the nutrients it consumes into food. Although you place fertilizer around the base of your plants, you aren’t “feeding” the plants. […]
Have Your Trees Inspected This Fall
We have to have our vehicles inspected every year to be sure they’re mechanically sound and many of us have an annual physical to make sure our body is working the way it should. The trees in your yard combine both biology and mechanics to stay healthy and sound. So, for the same reason you […]
Preparing The Patio For Winter
As winter approaches, plants and tools aren’t the only things that need your attention before the snow flies. Don’t forget the appliances and furniture on your deck or patio. One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to winterizing your deck or patio. I’m sure winterizing instructions came with your appliances and furniture. If that’s […]
Expanding Your Spring Bulb Garden
The earliest spring colors to emerge in your landscape are supplied by your bulb garden – crocuses, daffodils, tulips and hyacinths are some of the more popular. If you thought, last spring, that you’d like more of these flowers, either in your present bulb garden or in another garden, now’s the time to take action […]
Winter Landscape Prep Checklist
As the days get shorter and temperatures creep downward, it’s not the time to retreat into the house and begin our winter hibernation, especially this year when we’ve already spent a lot of time inside. There’s still plenty to do outside to prepare our landscapes for winter. Here is a checklist of recommended projects to […]
Protecting Water Features From Leaf Fall
Water features add so much to the ambiance of a landscape but whenever we try to tame nature there is work associated with the process. Keeping leaves from falling into your pond or fountain may be a year round task that intensifies as fall approaches. Water features that have few trees between the path of […]
Time To Divide Herbaceous Perennials
One reason perennials are popular is because they flower every year so you don’t have to plant new ones like you do with annuals. Herbaceous perennials are those that die down to the ground each year but whose roots remain alive and send up new top growth each year. Although herbaceous perennials rebloom every year, […]
Fall Is For Planting
Can you believe it? Summer is almost over! In two weeks, we’ll celebrate Labor Day, which marks the unofficial beginning of fall. Officially, fall doesn’t arrive until Tuesday, September 22, and hopefully there’s plenty of good weather in store until then and beyond. For some, all planting takes place in the spring. I’m not sure […]
Don’t Forget The Anti-Desiccant
When checking your fall to-do list, be sure anti-desiccant is on it. This wax-like spray-on material is the most economical, effective protection for winter vulnerable evergreens. If you’re not familiar with anti-desiccant and the way it protects your evergreen trees and shrubs, here’s a quick introduction. Deciduous trees and shrubs (those that drop their leaves […]
Fallen Leaves Make Great Compost
Who rakes fallen leaves in a forest? The answer: Nobody. They just fall to the forest floor and decompose. This decomposing organic material is called humus or duff. As they decompose, the fallen leaves return organic matter to the soil to be used by the plants. This is nature’s compost. Letting leaves decompose naturally in […]