Here are some great ideas for everything you need to be doing in your garden over the next few weeks.
Get planting
Fall is a great time to plant, because the soil is still warm and moist even if
the air is starting to cool and fall plantings require less watering. Add trees
or shrubs to your yard, and remember to keep them well watered until the first
frost sets in.
It's also an ideal time to plant spring-flowering bulbs. Choose bulbs suited to
your area. The trick to growing large, healthy flowering bulbs is to prepare the
soil well at planting.
Mulch much
Cover garden beds and the bases of trees with a layer of mulch to give them an
extra blanket of protection for winter. This will help to prevent soil erosion
and retain moisture. Check out our great selection of mulch in-store.
Healthy hacking
Prune your trees and shrubs after the leaves turn to enhance your garden view
and encourage healthy spring growth. When to prune, and how much depends on the
type of tree or shrub, particularly for flowering trees and shrubs. It's also a
good idea to lop off damaged, diseased and dead branches before the problem
spreads. The Home Depot has a great selection of loppers in-store.
Extend vegetable season
While fall is harvest time in the vegetable garden, the growing season can be
extended by a couple of weeks with the use of protective covers on frosty
nights. This lightweight fabric allows light and water to come through, but
raises the temperature slightly.
Create a compost pile
Fall is the perfect time to start a compost pile because decaying vines,
vegetables, leaves and grass clippings contain nutrients that break down over
time to recharge soil with nitrogen for spring planting.
Perk up flowerbeds
Add organic compost to your soil to prepare it for next year. Don't neglect your
weeding, as this is the time they set seed and store energy for the cooler
months. Cut back anything that's dry, withered or mushy and fill in gaps with
colorful fall bloomers such as chrysanthemums and pansies.
Use leftover leaves
Collect your scattered leaves in a yard bag. Leave any extra ones in your flower
beds. As they break down, leaves help insulate plants and provide them with
valuable nutrients.
Clean, cover and repair
From Home Depot