42
|
AUTUMN
/
EARLY WINTER
2015
ESCARPMENT
®
gardens
it’s
time
for
bed
...see
you
next
spring
October...
Transplant shrubs or young trees to new locations.
Cut diseased areas out of perennials. Do not compost.
Rake and compost any fallen leaves.
Clean up garden debris. Remove all vegetable plants and fallen fruit.
Remove dead annuals from the garden, after a frost.
Cut back perennial foliage to discourage overwintering pests. Leave flowerswith seeds for the birds.
Continuewatering trees and shrubs until the ground freezes.
Sharpen lawnmower blade and pruners.
Trim tall grass away from trees and corners of your home to discourage small rodents from creating nests.
Dig up tender bulbs such as dahlia, canna and gladiola.Wrap them inmoist material and store in a cool, dark space.
November...
Fertilize your lawn
Divide spring and summer blooming perennial plants.
Turn off outsidewater connections. Drain garden hoses.
Buy bulbs (paperwhites etc.) to force forwinter display.
Continuewatering trees and shrubs until the ground freezes.
Wrap screening around fruit tree trunks to protect from small animals.
Mulch rose bushes.
Clean fallen leaves in downspouts and gutters.
December...
Start paperwhites and amaryllis forwinter blooms.
September...
Collect seed and herbs for drying.
Add compost ormanure to garden beds.
Coverwater featureswith netting to collect falling leaves.
Check houseplants for pests, then start tomove indoors.
Plant new trees and shrubs, to give them at least sixweeks before frost.
Plant spring flowering bulbs.
Clean bird feeders, gardening tools.
Continuewatering trees and shrubs until the ground freezes.
Bring in any clay pots.
Pull weeds before they go to seed to reduce the number of weeds next year.
Fertilize your lawn.
Cooler temperatures tell us it'snow time toprepareour gardens for
the onset of another frigid Canadian winter. Planting in the fall is
not onlyperfectlyacceptable, it'sconsideredbymanyexperts tobe
the best time of year to get trees and shrubs into the ground. So
pull out your shovel, do some digging and enjoy the fruits of your
labours come spring. While you’re at it, and getting rosy cheeks,
cut back perennials, remove annuals and get your lawn healthy for
next spring. It’s important tokeepwateringbecauseplants that are
deprived of water nowwill be easily stressed in thewinter.
Follow our guide for getting your gardens ready
for their long sleep.
