Is your garden prepared for autumn?

Don't be fooled by 80 degree temperatures today: winter (as far as gardens are concerned) is right around the corner. The trees should start changing their color next week regardless of the temperature (this process is determined by dimishing light.)

What happens to me every year is that I put so much effort into springtime that I am often warn out by the end of the season and let everything go. Don't be like me! There are a lot of things you could be doing now that will make a huge difference in next year’s garden and lawn.

1.)Keep watering the trees and shrubs until the ground freezes (this doesn't happen until the late November or December.) They will need 1 inch of water per week even after the leaves have fallen. Lessening the stress now can mean a huge difference in spring flowering and leafing.

2.)Prevent rodent damage by putting some sort of protection around the bottom of the trunks or other shoots like raspberries. As the food supply runs down, these woody plants become more attractive to pests.

3.)Transplant woody perennials after the leaves fall.

4.) Separate plants like lily, iris, peony, and bleeding hearts – these can save you a lot of money not having to fill areas in the spring with annuals. Make plans to save sensitive bulbs and corms -- gladiolus, caladium, canna lilies, dahlias. More money saved for a small amount of work.

5.) Keep the grass mowed. While long grass is good for high temperatures and preserving water in the summer, tall grass in cool temperatures encourages fungi growth.

6.) Control dandelions in the lawn. Now is the time to eradicate the dandelions, not the spring when they are most noticeable.

7.) Rake leaves a little at a time as they fall and store them for use as mulch and winter protection for sensitive plants. Your grass will be healthier if it gets lots of light and air, and you will be healthier if you get out in the yard more often.