Back to
the garden in Fall
15 Feed your soil. 1 Watering. If the summer has been dry in
your area, be sure to water your perenni- als and your trees and shrubs. In most re-
gions, we have had a very hot, dry summer and many trees and shrubs are stressed, but so are our perennials. (If you live in one of the rare regions that received more than its share of rainfall this summer, you should still check the ground to determine if you need to water). Evergreens are particularly vulnerable to
winter burn after a hot, dry season. This is because their needles remain hydrated all year long – they don’t go entirely dormant in winter, continuing to expire a small amount of moisture throughout the cold months. If they start off with a moisture deficit, it is easy to understand how you can end up with a brown plant in spring thanks to the drying effects of wind and sun exposure. Lack of moisture can kill evergreens, but
it can do the same to perennials. Water your plants this fall if you have had a hot, dry summer.
22 • Beautiful Gardens 2012
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Wash your trees.
Wash your trees. Turn the nozzle of your hose to its sharpest spray and wash your trees, especially evergreens. Do this in
mid-October to dislodge any overwintering insects or their eggs. Pay particular attention to the nooks and crannies. Washing can also help remove any sooty mould and scales.
Feed your soil. Chances are it’s been a long time since you refreshed your garden soil. If you have been really busy, you may
not have attended to mulching with leaves and other organics as often as you should and, consequently, your perennial gardens may not be performing at their best. To help restore your soil for next year,
add a thin layer of top soil – three to six- inches – this fall. It will settle over the winter to one-third that depth so there is no fear of smothering newly emerging plants in spring. You can also incorporate some leaf mold or other organics such as peat moss or coir at the same time.
www.localgardener.net essential
garden tasks for fall
By Dorothy Dobbie
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