Seasonal Projects

Fall Clean Up
Summer might be drawing to a close, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to put away your lawn and garden work ethic. If you want a vibrant and healthy landscape come spring, there are plenty of chores left in store before winter arrives.
Preparing your lawn and garden for winter will give you less yard work to do once the weather warms. Here are some things you can do to get ahead of the game.

Step 1. Keep Up Maintenance 
Keep mowing your lawn right up until the first frost, but keep the grass length longer than 2½". When you mow for the last time, use a mulching mower. The mulch will keep as much nitrogen as possible in the soil over the winter and into the spring. Don't forget to check your lawn for weeds. Use a dandelion digger to pop them out of the soil, and they won't return in the spring.

As leaves collect on your lawn, rake them regularly to keep your grass healthy. Leaves can smother and kill the grass if left on your lawn. Rake up as many as possible and bag them for disposal. You can also shred the leaves and spread them on the lawn as compost.
Prune any dead, diseased or out-of-control branches from trees and shrubs. Use a handsaw to saw off branches that are dead, infested with insects or disease, or that have grown too close to power lines and pose a safety threat. Two-handed loppers work well for smaller branches. Always cut away from yourself so the branch does not fall toward you.
Safety Alerts!
    •    Always keep ladders, tools, equipment and yourself at least 10' away from any overhead power lines.
    •    Make sure to wear safety goggles when working with a handsaw or loppers.
Water your trees and shrubs deeply one last time before winter, paying special attention to any newly planted foliage. And don't forget to bring your potted plants inside when overnight temperatures dip below 50ºF. Spray potted plants with a garden hose to clean off dirt and wash away pests before you bring them in.
After the first frost, cut back perennial growth to just a few inches above the ground using a sharp hand pruner, garden shears or scissors. Throughout the winter, leave the stems above ground to protect the crown. The crown is the part of the plant at ground level where the stem meets the roots. Make sure you thoroughly pick up any plant parts you cut back and any other plant debris that has died and fallen off. Remove any weeds and other garden debris as well, disposing of it in yard refuse bags. Leaving this organic matter in your garden could bring disease, insects and rodent infestation, as they are all attracted to decaying vegetation.