Early Autumn Chores for Northeast Gardeners
|
Email Page
Print Page
|
|
|
Extras
|
Add Photo to Journal
|
|
| Photo Credit: Donna W. Moramarco |
| Matted leaves can smother young grass seedlings. |
Autumn is beginning to take shape in the Northeast. Glorious fall colors can be enjoyed along roadsides, in woodlands, gardens and landscapes. And so it goes, another fall is unfolding, sending signals of shorter days and cooler nights to plants and people alike. It’ll soon be time to bed the landscape for the winter season. But before you get to hang up your gardening gloves and store the spade, here are some chores you should get done in your early fall garden.
- If your bird feeders have been on a summer vacation, it’s time to clean and ready them for the beginning of the long feeding season – from now until natural food becomes available to our feathered friends again late next spring!
- If you’ve got houseplants that have been outside for a summer vacation, it’s time to bring them back indoors. Do a careful inspection of all plants before they come in, so you don’t bring any unwanted six-legged pests indoors for the winter! Not sure what the pest is? Visit the staff at your local garden center or cooperative extension office for identification and potential solutions. Make it easy on them, and remember to bring an intact sample of the pest with you.
- If you recently reseeded your lawn, remember to keep those newly-seeded areas free of leaves. Fallen foliage can matt down and smother young grass. Use a bamboo rake to carefully remove the leaves – or use a leaf blower if you’ve got one.
| Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Donna W. Moramarco | | Spring-flowering bulbs are readily available at your favorite garden supply store. Buy early for the best selection! |
- If you want springtime color, get to your garden centers and mass merchandisers to pick up some bulbs. You’ve probably heard the slogan “Fall is for Planting.” This saying is especially true for spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, scillas and more. Shop early for best selection to secure your favorites!
|
| Tips |
- Plant your spring-flowering bulbs at least six weeks before the ground typically freezes in your area.
- Buy hardy mums for your landscape beds, borders and planters. Hardy mums will come back every year. Forced florist mums generally are not perennial (meaning they do not come back) in Northeast climates. When hardy mums are finished in your containers, just plant them in your landscape beds.
|
| Facts |
- Frost dates are average dates. Not sure what your average first frost date is in fall? Or the last frost date in the spring? Contact your local cooperative extension office for this information.
|
|
|
Page 1 of 2
|
Next Steps
|
Articles
-
Plant That Mum…It’s a Perennial!
To many, the chrysanthemum is a sure sign of fall. While this blooming beauty looks fantastic in a container, its bright, bold autumn colors look even better when they’re coming out of your garden!
-
Tubs of Fun With Spring-Flowering Bulbs
Bulbs can be used just about anywhere, so don’t just sink them into the soil. Try layering your spring bloomers in a whiskey barrel or wheel barrow or milk crate. Their colorful spring blossoms will pop in just about any container you plant them in!
-
Gettin’ Grubby: The Basics of White Grubs
Grubs in your lawn can be a serious problem. Learn how to prevent them, as well as when you need to treat.
|
|
|
|
|