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| Photo by Lynn Leventhal |
The leaves are turning golden and falling to the ground. The temperature is dropping. The days are getting shorter. It is time to think of putting our gardens to bed. Here is an overview to get you started.
Before I start I like to take pictures and make notes on my successes and failures. Then the majority of the work is cleaning up the leaves which have fallen and cutting the lawn for the last time.
Pruning: the majority or pruning is done in the winter and spring. The reasons for pruning are to maintain a shrub’s shape, enhance flowering and reduce pest problems.
Lawns: fertilize your lawn in the fall and water monthly.
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| Photo by Lynn Leventhal |
Vegetable gardens: pull up old vines and vegetable plants to reduce insect eggs which can survive in the winter and hatch in the spring.
Annual flowers: pull up vines and foliage of annual flowers and compost them.
Perennials: After temperatures hit freezing and the plants die back cut the stems on most perennials to within an inch or two of the ground. However, there are many exceptions to this so be sure to research recommendations for each plant type you have.
Resources: A Long Winter’s rest: Preparing the Garden for the Off Season by Carl Wilson and Mary Hartman.