- Leaf Removal:
- Due to the diversity of deciduous trees nearby, a significant leaf drop is anticipated. Collect and compost these leaves, ensuring that leaves from diseased plants are discarded separately.
- Perennials:
- Once the first frost makes its appearance, cut back dead foliage to minimize pest attractions.
- Divide and relocate perennials that seem overly grown or lack vitality.
- Use markers to indicate the spots of perennials, ensuring an organized spring gardening experience.
- Annuals:
- Once they’ve been touched by frost, remove and compost the remains of healthy annuals.
- Lawn Care:
- Continue mowing practices until the lawn shows signs of dormancy.
- Apply a fall-specific fertilizer to strengthen grassroots.
- If certain areas of the lawn seem compacted, aeration might be a good idea.
- Trees & Shrubs:
- Prune away dead or weakened branches, but keep the thorough pruning tasks for late winter.
- Make sure younger or recently transplanted trees and shrubs are generously watered until the soil begins to freeze.
- Bulbs:
- Fall is the optimal season to plant bulbs that will bloom in the spring.
- Post the first frost, unearth and store bulbs that can’t bear winter’s cold.
- Vegetable Garden:
- Harvest any remaining crops before the harsh frosts begin.
- Clear out plant detritus to ward off potential pests and diseases.
- Now is an ideal moment to sow garlic, looking forward to a summer bounty.
- Garden Tools & Equipment:
- Clean, hone, and safely store away all gardening tools.
- Ensure power equipment goes through end-of-season maintenance to keep it functioning optimally.
- Compost:
- Mix and layer the compost pile, incorporating the season’s dropped leaves.
- Mulching:
- As the end of fall nears, protect perennial beds with an insulating layer of mulch, such as straw or fragmented leaves. This protects plant roots from sporadic freeze-thaw cycles.
- Garden Structures:
- Prepare for the winter months by examining and reinforcing structures like raised beds, trellises, and barriers.
- Water Features:
- Turn off and store away water pumps, ensuring other water features are safeguarded against freezing conditions.
- Protection:
- Employ protective measures, such as burlap, to cover vulnerable or young trees and shrubs, ensuring their endurance through winter’s challenges.
- Planning for Next Year:
- Reflect on the year’s gardening endeavors, noting successes and areas needing attention. Begin preparations for the next spring.
For detailed advice and recommendations tailored to the specific conditions of the region or the year, it’s always wise to consult the expertise available at Marrazzo’s.
