Autumn is a good time to install new plant material because. Most landscape renovations involve the addition of new trees, shrubs and plants of all kinds. Fall is a good time to install new plant materials because it provides the best environment for plants to settle in. Colder temperatures and increased rainfall aid root development and reduce the initial shock a plant experiences when transplanted.
The impact of transplantation is also reduced because the plants are in their winter dormant period. Planting during this time also gives the maximum amount of time for plants to grow before the following summer's hot, dry weather. There's also a practical reason why planting and making other improvements to the landscape is a smart thing to consider in the fall. It's during this time that garden companies aren't as busy and are more likely to be able to schedule projects sooner.
The tools make the hard work of gardening a little easier, so you should show them a little love before saving them for the winter. Maintenance will help them work more effectively and last longer, and you'll save yourself the expense of having to replace them. Start by cleaning them to remove traces of mud and hard-to-remove dirt, a wire brush should suffice. Use steel wool or fine sandpaper to clean rust stains and a file to restore the edge of shovels, pruners and lawnmower blades.
After a hot summer, cooler fall air temperatures are more pleasant for both plants and gardeners, but the soil is still warm enough to allow roots to grow until the soil freezes. Fall rains are generally plentiful, but it's easy to water plants deeply if it doesn't rain at least an inch per week. Pest and disease problems also disappear in the fall. In addition, the end of the season is often a time of negotiation in garden centers that try to sell the last of their inventory before winter.
Look for deals on bulbs, perennials, trees and shrubs that bloom in spring, which can be planted in the fall, until your area is affected by severe frost. And don't forget your lawn; cold-season grass can also be planted this time of year. Put these plants in the ground in autumn and they'll reward you with beautiful colors in spring. Fall is the best time to establish new grass, either by planting or laying fresh grass.
When creating a new lawn, planting is usually the cheapest and easiest DIY option, but the lawn will give more immediate results. If you just want to repair an uneven or sparse lawn, first rake the stains to expose the soil, sprinkle the grass seeds where you want them to grow, and then cover them lightly with compost or straw. Keep new grass well watered until temperatures reach below zero. Once the weather cools down after summer, but the soil is still warm enough for root development, it's the perfect time to plant trees and shrubs.
Before excavating, check with local utility companies to locate any underground lines. Always plant trees and shrubs in your natural soil lines. Keep newly planted trees or shrubs well watered until the soil freezes so they get off to a good start before they go dormant during the winter. If you want to add to your perennial collection, fall is one of the best times to do so.
You can also divide and replant existing perennials, such as hostas and astilbe, in your garden. Keep perennials planted in the fall well watered until the soil freezes to encourage them to develop new, healthy roots before they lie dormant during the winter. Protect them from frost that builds up with a blanket of shredded leaves or other mulch, with layers about 3 inches thick around them. When spring comes, they'll be ready to fill your garden beds with fresh foliage.
Depending on whether you're planting, pruning, renewing your lawn, or adding irrigation, there are many reasons why fall is a prime season for gardening projects. Your local gardening professional can offer you additional ideas and suggestions for getting the most out of your outdoor living space. Talk to most people familiar with horticulture and landscaping and they'll agree that fall is a good time for landscape maintenance and installation. Another landscape improvement, which can help with drainage but also protect structures, involves installing rocky drainage strips around buildings.
As I've revealed, while there are some gardening tasks that shouldn't be done in the fall, for the most part, it's the best time to maintain the land, prepare the plants for the coming winter, and installing new design projects. Use a retractable aerator, hire a landscaper to do the work, or, if you have a small patio, there are even accessories you can get for your shoes to drill small holes in the grass. The edges of your landscape, the space between the lawn and the garden are full of visual opportunities, and all you need to take advantage of the space are the right plants. .
.
