October is a good time for mulching all plants, shrubs and trees. There are several things that you can do to prepare and protect your plants during the months to come.
Mulching:
- Mulching your plants 3-4″ deep can help prevent weeds.
- Mulching helps moderate extreme temperatures in the root zone.
- You will not have to water as often after mulching.
Divide & Replant:
- You should divide and replant spring/summer blooming perennials. This will give them time to establish themselves.
- Herbs such as garlic, multiplying onion and chives should be divided and replanted as well.
- You can also plant your wildflower seeds now for spring flowers.
Treating & Fertilizing:
- Watch fro brown patches in your lawn. This is a fungus caused by cool nights and warm days.
- Now is a great time to fertilize your lawn with NitroPhos. It builds strong roots making the lawn much stronger.
- You can also use a root activator to help establish and ready your trees and shrubs for spring.
Fall Favorites
There are several crops that thrive when planted in the fall. Some of these include: Broccoli, Green Beans, Carrots and Squash. There are others too, but these plants seem to be the most productive, and are not very demanding.
Plan Ahead…
Keep in mind:
- Because the days are getting shorter, you may need to add a week or two to the number of days to maturity listed on the seed packets.
- You may want to consider using transplants rather than seeds. This will give you a slight advantage.
- You will need to maintain moisture, protect from insects, and freezing temperatures.
- You can fortify your soil by adding a little compost prior to planting.
- Don’t forget to bring your houseplants inside. You may also need to dust them with insecticide, re-pot, and fertilize them.