 |
| www.frontdoors.com |
Cool breezes and colored leaves now rustle through
manicured lawns and remnants of carefully tended gardens.
Before plunging temperatures, snow and ice make it
impossible, a bit of work outside assures Mother Nature’s glories will blossom
again next spring.
·
Dead leaves smother lawns, especially newly
seeded ones. Clear them away with a bamboo rack versus a more rigid model made
of steel. The springiness of bamboo catches and collects the offending leaves
without ripping up tender leaves of grasses.
·
Admittedly, a grubby job, ridding your lawn
of grubs is a necessary fall landscaping task before they burrow deep in the
ground for a cold weather feast on grass roots.
¨ Grub
patches appear as brown patches. The use of insecticides is a common practice
as are organic treatments such as applying neem oil.
·
Assure a vibrant spring, tinged in yellows,
red and pale pinks among other hues, by planting bulbs in clusters and pointy
side up - now when the earth is cool.
¨ When
looking for new places to enjoy the beauty of tulips and daffodils, to scillas,
crocus ad hyacinths keep in mind the old Dutch saying, "bulbs don't like wet feet.”
Plant
them in well-drained and sunny areas taking into account the absence of leaves
on springtime trees.
¨ For
fuller floral displays, sow bulbs in clusters and with consideration to their full-grown
height. Think of butter-colored tulip heads dancing over masses of purple
crocus.
¨ Since
squirrels and other uninvited guests sometimes unearth bulbs for a winter
nibble, consider planting more than you think you will need
·
Hardy mums, as their name implies, last
several seasons. Use them as focal points or accents in autumnal planter
displays with ornamental kales, pansies, or peppers.
The return on an investment
now in landscaping care comes with the first bud of green next year. 