Labor Day Weekend, the last hurrah of summer, is one of the key dates in horticulture. Here is a list of things to consider for fall yard care projects:
- Hit those perennial weeds. Don’t give up now. Those summer weeds are tough and now is the time to take advantage of them pulling nutrients from the leaves to store in the roots. Why not send some herbicide with it to knock out the roots?
- Put preemergent (weed preventer) in your shrub beds. Winter annual seeds will be germinating. Stop them before they even become established.
- Add more days between lawn watering cycles. With the cooler temperatures and shorter days, frequent watering invites fall fungal diseases like Rust. Continue to add days between watering cycles as the temperatures drop and days get shorter.
- Lower mowing height. This helps prepare the grass to receive a short mowing for the final cut. Gradually reduce the height instead of lowering it 3 notches all at once.
- Stop pruning roses. Let them harden off by forming rose hips. It is okay to trim them a little before the snow falls to prevent the canes from breaking.
- Don’t fertilize trees after Labor Day. To protect trees from winter damage, they need to harden off. Fertilizing in the fall may encourage new shoots which won’t be prepared for a cold winter.
- Don’t aggressively trim trees. Aggressive trimming may spur new growth instead of allowing the tree to prepare for winter.
- Avoid the temptation to prune fruit trees. After the fruit is picked, fruit trees need to strengthen up before winter too. Trimming late in the fall removes needed nutrients from the leaves. Wait until the leaves come off to prune fruit trees.
- Plant grass seed. Any bare areas can be reseeded and existing lawns can be over-seeded. Don’t wait too late in the year or the new grass may not have a chance to take root.
- Spray your home’s foundation to keep bugs out. Insects seek out warmer places to stay and your home is a prime target. Spray the foundation to keep them from going inside.
