5 Tips for Great Fall Gardens
Orange leaves, rustling trees, and a chill in the air marks the start of a long awaited fall season. If you have a lawn, you may think it’s time to take a break from lawn maintenance. While your duties may change with the season, there are still some things you should do to keep your lawn healthy and looking pristine throughout the year. In addition, making small additions to your lawn such as a fall garden can brighten up your yard and increase curb appeal. Here are 5 tips for a great fall garden.
Use those leaves.
If you have fallen leaves, don’t waste them! Round up all of yours and your neighbors’ fallen leaves and use them for their organic matter. Dump the leaves onto the lawn and mow over them. The dead leaves will be shredded into small pieces that you can rake up into garden beds. The leaves then break down quickly and will add organic matter to your garden beds, giving your plants extra nutrients to grow healthy. In addition, the leaves will add an extra layer of mulch for protection over the winter.
Mow and Seed.
Do one final mowing. Trim down to 1 1/4 inches at this time. Be careful not to trim too short or you’ll run the risk of cutting off the food supply from the roots. Seeding is an option at this time as well. There are a few different options you can choose to seed your lawn. A beautiful lawn provides a great canvas for a fall garden.
Care for your perennials.
Before you start a fall garden, it’s a good idea to check your perennials. Cut back any dead growth to give the plants a fresh start for the spring. A few different flower varieties can remain such as Echinacea and Black Eyed Susans. These flowers supply a source of food for birds. In addition, Ornamental Grasses can be left up through the winter and can also be a safe haven for birds as well as beneficial insects.
Plant vegetables.
If you’re hoping to plant a vegetable garden, now is the time. There are certain vegetables that have their flavor enhanced by cool temperatures. Some vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale love the cool weather. However, they need to be started early or transplanted going into the fall season. There are also vegetables you can direct sow, such as chard, lettuce, Here’s a list of choices to fill your garden and your table.
Plant flowers.
One of the best varieties of flowers to plant are pansies! Warm soil temperatures during this time will give the roots time to establish. Since the soil is still warm, this creates an excellent environment for the plants to establish their roots. Planting in the fall gives you a bigger bang for your buck because you’ll get two great seasons of these beautiful flowers. Be sure to keep soil moist and mulch after the soil freezes to keep the plants safe during the winter.
Bonus Tip for Spring: Plant before frost.
While we’re on the subject of gardens, here’s a bonus tip for your spring garden. Fall is a great time to plant! Nights are longer, days are cooler, and the soil is still warm. This atmosphere provides the perfect environment for plants to focus on root growth. By the time spring comes around, plants will have strong and healthy roots.
It’s that time of year for beautiful flowers and a fresh breeze. These tips will help you not only maintain your lawn for the fall season, but make it pop as well. For more tips or a free consultation on lawn services, call us today (978) 296-5290. We offer competitive pricing for full-service landscaping to the Andover, MA area. T&B Landscaping can design and install entire outdoor environments for any space.