October Landscaping Tips and Information
General
- Are you enjoying your outdoor lighting with the shorter days? Adjust the system timer as needed for the fall and winter.
- Continue your fall planting. Fall planting allows for more extensive root development prior to next summer’s drought. Cooler fall temperatures are an ideal time to plant.
- If you have not done so, think about adding some fall season colors such as Mums, Pansies, cabbage, or Kale.
- Weed beds as needed.
- Be mindful of dangers while using outdoor fire pits and fireplaces.
- Keep gutters and downspouts clean.
Flower & Vegetable Gardens
- Plant spring flowering bulbs such as, daffodils and tulips.
- Keep beds mulched to retain moisture. Add grass clippings and leaves to gardens.
- Cut back perennials showing signs that their season is over. 6-12” from the ground.
- Amend the soil in planting areas with compost, peat moss and other products as needed.
- Add the fall color mentioned above.
Tree & Shrub Beds
- Continue your comprehensive tree and shrub care program, or start one. If not doing it yourself, please use a licensed professional.
- Touch up mulch in your planting beds as needed to control weeds and retain moisture.
- Make sure new plantings are hand watered.
- Feed your shrubs.
Lawns
- Continue mowing at about 3” high as needed. “ Grasscycle”- leave the clippings for free fertilizer. * Mow shorter (2”) prior to any renovation and over-seeding.
- Make sure that your mower blade is kept sharp.
- Water using best practices such as timing watering to limit evaporation and lawns remaining wet overnight.
- Last chance if not completed, perform fall renovation work such as; aeration, thatching, and over-seeding. Fall is the time to seed. Apply lime as needed along with a “ Starter” fertilizer.
Watering
- Reduce water times on automatic systems as temperatures cool.
- Monitor moisture levels at the plants roots, not on the surface.
- Water new plantings by hand as well as by an irrigation system.
- Water responsibly using best practices.
