Gardening News

Fall

Before you know it the summers sweltering heat will be replaced with the crisp, cool days of fall. Along with the more enjoyable weather comes the perfect time to spruce up your old landscape or design and install something totally new. Here are a few helpful tips to assist you in your fall landscaping needs.

Fall is a wonderful time of the year to plant/transplant most trees and shrubs. As the growing season comes to an end, plants begin to focus more on root growth rather than top growth (the leafy part). Eventually all top growth stops or goes dormant; however the roots continue to grow through the winter as long as soil temperatures are favorable. As a result, planting or transplanting in the fall ensures that your plants acquire a strong, extensive root system going into the winter which in turn promotes beautiful, robust top growth in the following spring.

 

Pruning and trimming can also be done in the fall months. You may be wondering to yourself, “Aren’t pruning and trimming the same thing?” and you wouldn’t be entirely wrong. However, trimming is mostly concerned with the “outer” appearance of a tree or shrub, while pruning determines the “interior” branching structure of your plants.

Most shrubs and trees can be pruned and trimmed in the later part of fall, but there are a few exceptions. Azaleas begin setting flower buds for the next season immediately after they bloom. Since azaleas bloom in the spring it’s not a good idea to prune them in the fall since you would be cutting off the flower buds for the upcoming growing season. A better time to prune azaleas is shortly after they bloom. Also, many hydrangeas, like H. macrophylla (Big leaf Hydrangea, Old Fashion Hydrangea) bloom in the same manner as azaleas, meaning that they set their buds for the next season shortly after blooming, so trimming or pruning in the fall would remove the buds. Azalea’s and hydrangeas are some of the more common plants which shouldn’t be trimmed in the fall, but there are others. If you have a question in regards to pruning or trimming a certain plant feel free to give us a call.

Fertilization may also be a part of your fall maintenance program. Late August through September is the optimal time to fertilize according to the Umass Department of Natural Resources Management (Umassgreeninfo.org). There are many different types of fertilizers available with lots of numbers and long names which can sometimes cause confusion so I’m going to try and simplify it for you. Here’s what all those numbers really mean. The three numbers that you see on the label and should be concerned with are called the “NPK” ratio. They reflect the amount of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) that is contained in a particular fertilizer. Each has its own specific purpose in promoting plant health. Nitrogen is the element responsible for most of the vegetative growth. The element Phosphorus stimulates root growth and helps with the development of healthy flowers and fruit. Potassium is necessary for proper plant cell function and helps to regulate water levels within the plant. Some fertilizers may also contain trace minerals, such as born, zinc, and magnesium, which help to improve the quality of the soil. Fertilizers with an analysis of 8-2-2, 24-8-16, or 15-5-5 are acceptable for most established woody plants.

The various plants in your landscape may require different types of fertilizer at different times. For example, roses should not be fertilized in the fall, while fertilizing most evergreens is fine. The wrong fertilizer may burn your plants, possibly kill them, or may have no affect at all. If you’re unsure about your plants needs please consult a professional before applying.

Although most plant pests and diseases begin to decline with the fall season, there are a few steps you can take to ensure healthy, pest free plants in the spring. By applying a dormant oil spray to your trees and shrubs you can eliminate any over wintering insect eggs. It may also be wise to rake up and remove any dead leaves that are around your trees and shrubs. These can harbor fungi spores and other diseases which may reappear on your plants in the spring if left through the winter.

Hopefully these tips will help you with you fall landscaping needs. If you have any questions at all please feel free to contact us anytime at 812-364-6818 or jeff@adamsonwegro.com !

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