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Fall Garden Cleanup Checklist for Salt Box Nursery
- Leaf Removal:
- Given the variety of deciduous trees in the vicinity, be prepared for a notable leaf fall. Gather and compost these leaves, ensuring that any from diseased plants are discarded separately.
- Perennials:
- After the chill of the first frost is felt, cut back dead foliage to deter potential pests.
- Divide and reposition perennials that appear too expansive or less lively.
- For a streamlined spring gardening experience, use markers to identify the spots of perennials.
- Annuals:
- After their encounter with frost, uproot and compost the remains of healthy annuals.
- Lawn Care:
- Continue with mowing routines until the lawn hints at entering its dormant stage.
- Employ a fall-centric fertilizer to boost the grassroots.
- Aerating might be beneficial if areas of the lawn seem compacted.
- Trees & Shrubs:
- Remove any dead or fragile branches, saving the intensive pruning tasks for the latter part of winter.
- Until the soil hardens from frost, ensure that younger or recently transplanted trees and shrubs are adequately watered.
- Bulbs:
- Autumn is the prime season to embed bulbs destined to bloom in spring.
- Remove and store bulbs that aren’t winter-resilient post the initial frost.
- Vegetable Garden:
- Before the heavy frosts set in, pluck any lingering vegetables.
- To prevent potential pests and diseases, clean up plant remnants.
- This time is ripe for planting garlic, ensuring a bounteous summer yield.
- Garden Tools & Equipment:
- Clean, sharpen, and securely store all gardening tools.
- Ensure power equipment undergoes end-of-season maintenance to keep them in optimal condition.
- Compost:
- Integrate the season’s shed leaves while stirring and layering your compost pile.
- Mulching:
- Offer protection against inconsistent freeze-thaw cycles by covering perennial beds with insulating mulch, like straw or fragmented leaves, as the colder end of fall approaches.
- Garden Structures:
- Prepping them for the winter onslaught, examine and fortify structures like raised beds, trellises, and fences.
- Water Features:
- Take measures to shield water features from freezing conditions, and turn off and store away water pumps.
- Protection:
- To withstand winter adversities, use protective measures like burlap to shield young or sensitive trees and shrubs.
- Planning for Next Year:
- Recognizing triumphs and pinpointing areas for enhancement, contemplate the year’s gardening journey. Kickstart preparations for the impending spring.
It’s always a good idea to seek advice from the expertise available at Salt Box Nursery when planning seasonal garden tasks.
