Dormant Feeding of Landscape plants – Perennials, shrubs & trees greatly benefit from dormant fall feeding. This should be done no earlier than mid-October, and normally coincides with a hard freeze. Granular, slow release fertilizers (Holly-tone, Plant-tone, Tree-tone) fortified with micronutirents and macronutirents are best for fall feeding. It’s important that you pull back any existing mulch before applying granular fertilizer in order to get the nutrients to the root zone. Once applied and worked into the soil, put the mulch back in place. If there was no mulch in place, be sure to apply a 2-inch layer of mulch for winter protection. Be sure to water thoroughly after applying fertilizers. Espoma’s Holly-tone, Plant-tone, Tree-tone and Evergreen-tone will be 30% off from October 11th through October 31st. Fertilizing with tree spikes is another option, but may prove more difficult this fall since the ground may still be very hard and dry. If you can, create holes 12-15” deep into the soil at the plants’ driplines, then using 3 spikes for every 2” of trunk caliper (3’ off the ground) drop the spikes into the holes and leave them open for activation by rain and/or snowfall.
Pruning Shrubs and Trees; Cutting Back Perennials – Pruning is important to keep plants healthy. Sometimes it’s just removing old wood, sometimes it’s to retain shape and sometimes it’s to reinvigorate. Removing old wood is essential to maintain good airflow and stop insects and diseases from taking up residence. For general or shape pruning, it’s best to remove no more than 1/3 of the plant branching structure overall. This limits the shock/stress to the plant. There are exceptions though. Some plants may need more drastic pruning when there is a lot of dead wood or it is grossly overgrown. This can reinvigorate the plant and allow for new growth to give a better shape and improve overall health. Perennials should be cut back at the end of the growing season or before growth starts in the spring. Some prefer to leave perennials untouched with attractive foliage that stays all winter or seed heads that feed the birds and other wildlife.
Planting in the Fall – October is a fantastic time for planting! The Lawn Depot is currently running an end of season sale on perennials, shrubs and trees! And don’t forget Espoma’s Bio-tone Starter Plus to ensure your new plants get the best start possible! Plus, we have a terrific selection of hardy mums, ornamental cabbage, kale and peppers, pansies and celosia to add some amazing fall color to your yards, porches and patios.
Systemic Control of Next Spring’s Insects NOW with BIOADVANCED TREE & SHRUB INSECT CONTROL – Aphids, leaf miners, lace bugs, adelgids, spotted lanternfly and many more sucking insects can be controlled for 12 months by treating trees and shrubs NOW with this very effective BioAdvanced product. Applied as a soil drench, the insecticide is absorbed by the roots of the plant, and translocated throughout every branch of the plant, where it remains active for up to 12 months. As the plants’ growth resumes next spring, this systemic insecticide is there to eliminate feeding pests on the trunk, stems, branches and leaves.
Protect Vulnerable Trees and Shrubs from Hungry Deer and Other Pests – As many of us unfortunately know from experience, deer can decimate arborvitae, azaleas, hollies, and many other broad-leafed evergreens both now and when the ground is frozen and food is hard for them to find. To protect valuable landscape plants, we recommend REGULAR applications (every 14 days initially and then every 30 days once damage has ceased) of one of our several lines of repellent products (available in granular or liquid) on and around trees, shrubs, and other plants that appeal to our animal friends. Another option is erecting a physical barrier such as burlap or deer netting, which can be very effective, but not so aesthetically pleasing. Whatever mode you decide on, we’ve got you covered.
For the Birds – Bird watching is the nation’s second most popular pastime, right behind gardening. As natural food sources start to diminish, you can lend our feathered friends a helping hand by providing them a reliable food source. Once they find a continuous source of food they’ll set up camp in close proximity, so you’ll be treated to their activities and antics all winter long! Our garden center carries a terrific selection of birdseed, feeders and accessories, including squirrel deterrent feeders and our helpful staff can assist you in selecting feeders and birdfeed that work for your yard.
October brings to mind apple picking, pumpkins, cozy sweaters, apple cider and so much more. It also reminds us that there are 6-8 weeks left in the fall season and there’s still a lot to do for lawns, landscapes and gardens. And, the benefits of preparing them for their long winter’s nap are tremendous. We hope all of you agree with this philosophy and we look forward to seeing you several more times. You’ll be thrilled with the results next spring. Really. We’d love to help you accomplish readying your lawns and landscapes this fall. Come on in!