If you haven’t already done so, early November is your last chance to busily prepare for winter and that means it’s time to get your yard in shape for the upcoming cold and snow as well.
Winterizer fertilizer is one of the best things you can do at this time to get your lawn ready for spring. Apply this product as long as the weather is above freezing. Although it won’t make your lawn turn green now, winterizer fertilizer is so important to the growth and development of your lawn because of what it does over the winter – it promotes deep rooting during the winter for a healthier lawn in spring. It’s also excellent because it’s slow release, which means that your lawn gets a little all winter, rather than a big shot right now. If you haven’t tried this type of fertilizer in the past, you may be surprised at how beneficial it truly can be for your lawn.
While it’s a great time to fertilize your lawn, it’s past time to fertilize your trees, shrubs or perennials. Do put protectors or use tree wrap on your young trees to protect them against the harmful rays of the winter sun. Light-colored barked trees such as locust, ash and maples are especially susceptible and need this extra protection.
Other tree care you might want to consider at this time is the addition of mulch around your trees. This is especially true of trees which you don’t want to have bloom early in the spring such as peaches and apricots. The mulch acts as a protectant, and even though it keeps the ground warm, it also will help to keep it cool in the spring so that your fruit trees don’t bloom too early. It’s one way to trick Mother Nature and perhaps save your orchard from a late freeze as we experienced this past spring. Mulch also helps retain winter moisture and protect from freezing and thawing regularly, thus giving some protection against frost heaves that can uproot young or newly planted trees.
Another thing to consider at this time is that if you are planning on purchasing a live tree for Christmas, is to dig the hole in which you will plant it now before the ground freezes hard. Cover it with a tarp, plastic, or other covering until after the holidays to keep it from filling with leaves and to protect from little ones falling into the hole.
Protect your roses now as well so that they are happy through the winter. Use rose collars or mulch and mound them up to 10-12 inches with mulch to protect the graft union. Be sure to remove any leaves around the base that have built up before doing your mulching in order to prevent diseases from setting in over the winter.
If you haven’t already done so, bulbs should be planted now as well. It’s not too late for them, as long as the ground in your area has not frozen.
Clean up your perennial bed on a warm sunny day. After the tops have frozen hard, cut them back if you wish, but be sure to leave 8-10 inches. You should also plan to blow out your irrigation system, if you haven’t already done so, to prevent the water in those lines from freezing.
Take some time during these last golden days of autumn to enjoy the fresh, crisp air and enjoy the pleasure of working in your yard before the snows of winter set in. There’s still a lot of great weather left to enjoy!
Gail Vanik can be reached at Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery at 565-8274 or by email at fourseasons@animas.net, on Facebook at Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery, or on the web at www.fourseasonsgreenhouse.com.