What do I need to do with my landscape this fall?

By Sherry Uildersma,

Water your lawn. Lawns still need to be watered in the fall, especially if it’s dry and hot. Not as much, as summer, but your grass still needs water.
Treat your weeds. A fall weed treatment is still beneficial and will assist with combating broadleaf weeds.
Fertilize. Fertilizing now will give energy and nutrients to the existing root system, which is important for the plants. It also will store food and multiply in cool weather before the lawn goes dormant for winter. This will give your lawn that extra boost it needs for the following spring.
Aerate. Aeration is also a benefit for your lawn as it helps aleve the compaction of the turf and allows air, water and nutrients to enter the turf.
Overseed. Overseeding allows new growth for lusher lawns in spring. Continue cutting, as you don’t want tall grass laying and smothering new grass, even into December, if weather allows.
Rake. Rake leaves and pick up debris from your lawn as wet leaves also smothers and kills the grass. This could also produce mold on your turf.

Remove all annuals. Cut back and deadhead spent flowers.
Cut back and thin your shrubs. If you wish, you can plant new shrubs until the beginning of November to enhance your garden’s appearance.
Plant fall flowers. Add flowering fall annuals for a new seasonal look.
Plant new bulbs for spring and remove all summer bulbs. Wrap and store them to plant next spring.
Add mulch. A layer of mulch as it will act as a blanket for your plants and help smother out weeds.
Turn your soil if required.

Prune. This is a great time of year to have your trees pruned or thinned out.
Wrap. Wrap first-year evergreens to protect from the tender branches from wind and heavy snow.

Clear and clean all patios, decks, and walkways.
Clean and cover or store furniture.
Bring in all garden and patio decor such as candles, lighting, and decorative pieces.
Washout, clean, and refill your bird feeders. Refilling will become a routine as our little feathered friends will start to get a little more dependant on us when the colder weather starts to set in. Don’t forget they need water to drink as well.

Equipment

Winterize all summer equipment, add gas stabilizer, sharpen blades, check spark plugs, cover intake and exhaust vents with plastic or foil.
Make sure battery-operated equipment is fully charged.
Make sure any winter equipment is accessible and ready to go.