1. Rake, rattle and roll!
Convince yourself that raking leaves
can be fun. Rather than wait for a single
weekend, break this chore into stages.
Matted leaves can lead to insect and
disease problems and smother your
turf, especially cool season grasses like
Kentucky Bluegrass.
2. To fertilize – or not to fertilize?
Cool season grasses like Kentucky
Bluegrass, fescues and perennial ryegrass
often need fertilizer this time of year.
Grasses that go dormant in the winter,
such as Bermuda, Zoysia and Centipede
may not. Visit www.lowes.com for
information on soil testing and choosing
the right fertilizer.
3. Repair and re-seed. Fall is a great time
to repair a damaged lawn and re-seed. Fill
any holes or bare spots with topsoil and
add grass seed. It’s important to choose
the right kind of grass for your growing
zone; go to www.lowes.com to learn
what’s best for your area.
4. Don’t forget to water. New grass in
particular needs frequent but shallow
watering. Once the grass is established,
water deeply to reach the roots. To
minimize the threat of fungal disease,
water in the morning or early afternoon
so that the grass blades are not moist
overnight.
5. Prune with care. Pruning promotes
growth, so be careful not to encourage
growth when plants are about to go
dormant. By all means remove diseased,
dead or broken branches.
6. Transplant trees and shrubs.
Autumn is a great season for transplanting
trees and shrubs, allowing roots to get
established before the cold sets in. Also,
heat stress is not a concern. Visit your
neighborhood Lowe’s Garden Center for
a broad selection of trees and shrubs that
can bring new life to your landscape.
7. Spruce up flower beds.
Replace warm-weather annuals with
seasonal favorites like pansies and mums.
Clean out summer perennials and add
a fresh layer of mulch, which can help
protect plants from hard freezes.
8. Divide established perennials.
If your perennials are looking a bit
lackluster or overgrown they may need
to be divided. The best candidates have
large, healthy clumps and have been in
the ground for years. By dividing these in
the fall, you’ll enjoy healthier plants in more
places next spring.
9. Plant ahead for spring. Foolproof
and fabulous, spring-flowering bulbs
put gardening within everyone’s reach.
When choosing bulbs, focus on your
favorite color, or try shades that accent
already established plantings throughout
your garden. For more information on
cutting gardens, see “Bulbs in Bloom”
at www.LowesCreativeIdeas.com/OutdoorLiving.
Source: Lowe's