Feature Cool Season Cleanup
Amendments such as sulfur or lime can be added in fall to adjust pH if it is too low or high for the plants in your garden,” Stoven said.
Depending on your climate and if soil tests deem fertilization necessary, fertilizers can be added in the early fall for some plants.“ For example, in southern climates where warm season grasses are grown, lawns are best fertilized( especially if using nitrogen) in the spring, but in northern climates with cool season grasses, fertilizer can be added in early fall to strengthen the root system,” she added.
Plant Care and Pests
Being familiar with your plants is helpful when you’ re on the lookout for insects.“ If you regularly look over your plants, you can spot when something doesn’ t look right due to a pest or other reason. Sometimes pests are obvious, like chewing insects that cause holes, but sometimes the pests may be feeding on roots( and causing the plant to look sickly or wilted) or the insects could be hard to see due to their small size, such as mites.”
Mites can be problematic late in the summer into early fall since they like hot, dry and dusty conditions. These pests can cause yellowed foliage and often leave webbing. Pests such as slugs and aphids can be commonly seen later in fall as the weather cools.
“ If you notice a plant is looking unthrifty, inspect
the plant closer looking at the crown, the leaves and maybe even roots, if necessary. Remember that some pests, such as slugs, can be cryptic, hiding during the day and feeding at dawn or dusk. Small pest infestations caught early can be picked off plants, squished or even sprayed with water. As plants go dormant into winter, the insects typically do the same. However, they will reappear in the spring,” Stoven said.
Fall is generally a major clean-up time for leaves and dormant perennials. However, in many situations, leaves can be left for insect and wildlife habitat in landscape beds until spring.
In addition, perennials that have died back for the season can also provide habitat and be left over the winter. Hollow stems, for example, can provide native bee nesting habitat during the next growing season. It is best to rake or chop leaves with a mower in lawns, especially in areas where the leaves can sit and smother the lawn due to wet or snowy winters.
Stoven also recommends planting trees and shrubs or transplanting perennials. In vegetable gardens, planting a cover crop can suppress weeds, add organic matter and increase soil fertility.
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