Fall and Winter Landscaping Tips: Thriving after this heat wave.
Can I get a whoop, whoop? The good news is, if you are reading this, you survived MANY days of 100-degree-plus weather.
You survived, how about your plants?
Take a deep breath and give it a minute. Fall is the perfect time for recovery.
- As temperatures start to cool (usually late September) it is time to re-adjust your sprinklers to twice a week at 12 - 15 minutes per zone.
- Turf – Late October to Early November – Fertilize with a nitrogen-based slow-release fertilizer to feed your turf’s roots over the winter. A 15-5-10 fertilizer is a good option. It is also time to put down winter rye seed if you like a year-round green yard.
- Turf – January – Now is the time to fertilize with a pre-emergent-based herbicide to get a start on weed prevention in the Spring. Weeds germinate at lower temperatures than turf.
- Beds – Late October to Early November – Turn soil and fertilize with a slow-release high iron fertilizer; Ironite is wonderful.
- Seasonal – October to November – Pansies, Ornamental Kale/Cabbage, Snapdragons, and Tulip bulbs are great options. They will take you through the Winter into Spring.
- Mulch – Mid-January, post all the leaves dropping – Put at least a 1” covering of hardwood mulch over all your beds. The main purpose of mulch is to insulate plants’ root systems from the cold in the winter and retain water in the summer. Say no to colored mulch, such as black, red, or orange, they put chemicals into your plants, and the dye on them quickly fades.
- Freeze ready:
- Part 1: Order your frost cloth now if you plan to cover plants. Frost cloth sells out fast, don’t wait. This is a personal choice, some people cover, and some don’t. What frost cloth gives you is a head start come Spring. Your plants will bounce back much faster than your neighbor that doesn’t cover.
- Part 2: It is helpful to water your plants 24 hours before a freeze. You want their roots and the ground wet, BUT please note that you do not want their leaves wet as that will freeze the plant and damage it.
- Part 3: If there is a hard freeze forecast, turn off your sprinklers to prevent them from running at sub-freezing temperatures. Freeze sensors do not always work.
If you are looking for a landscape refresh, it is a great time to start the design and planning phase.