Dormant Feeding of Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, Ground Covers, and Bulbs – Dormant feeding can be done once the majority of leaves have fallen from deciduous trees and shrubs. This occurs anywhere from mid to late October when the growing season is over for all the plants in the landscape except the lawn. Trees, shrubs and perennials cease vegetative growth and focus on expanding and strengthening their root systems, which fortifies them through the cold months. We recommend that small, shallow-rooted trees and shrubs be fed with slow-release, organic-based granular fertilizers (Espoma’s Holly-tone, Plant-tone, Tree-tone: Now 30% off through October 31st), generously distributed beneath the plants’ boughs (over the feeding roots) and watered in. For trees and larger shrubs, fertilizer spikes are a better choice. Punch holes 12-15” deep into the soil at the plants’ driplines, using 3 spikes for every 2” of trunk caliper (3’ off the ground). Drop the spikes into the holes, leave the holes open to be activated by rain/snowfall over the winter. Your plants will thank you with their beauty next spring.
Pruning Shrubs and Trees; Cutting Back Perennials – As with dormant feeding, pruning and cutting back perennials, trees and shrubs is best done when vegetative growth has ceased for the season. If done too early, new sprouts will emerge, necessitating additional pruning later, after growth has ceased.
Planting in the Fall – October is arguably the best time of the year for planting trees, shrubs, perennials and lovely fall mums. The Lawn Depot is currently running an end of season sale on perennials and shrubs, as well as Espoma’s Bio-tone Starter Plus and Coast of Maine Penobscot Complete Planting Mix to help get your new plants off to the best start possible! Our nursery yard is still packed with beautiful perennials, shrubs, mums, cabbage, kale & pansies that can enhance your landscape today and the future. Come on over and take a look!
Controlling Next Spring’s Insects Systemically NOW with BIOADVANCED TREE & SHRUB INSECT CONTROL – Spotted Lanternfly, Leaf miners, aphids, lace bugs, adelgids, and many more sucking insects as well as myriad chewing insects (caterpillars, beetles) can be controlled next year by treating host plants NOW with this terrific BioAdvanced product. Applied as a soil drench, the insecticide is absorbed by the roots of the plant now, and disseminated to 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. Save $5.00 per bottle through October 31st!
Protect Vulnerable Trees and Shrubs from Hungry Deer and Other Pests – 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. Start applying products NOW to deter them from your valuable and vulnerable plants by REGULARLY treating them with DEER REPELLENT sprays and/or granules. Stay on top of repeat applications, applying slightly sooner than mentioned. Better safe than sorry.
Birding – 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. The Lawn Depot carries a terrific selection of birdseed, suet, feeders and accessories, including squirrel deterrent feeders. Our helpful staff can assist you in selecting feeders and birdfeed.
October is a paradoxical month for me; I love the colors of fall, from the turning leaves to the beautiful colors of mums and asters in the gardens, but I am continually bothered by the reminder that another growing season is coming to an end. And, being in the turf industry for so many years, I’ve always been concerned that some of our customers will lose interest in their lawns (particularly) and gardens too soon. There’s still a lot of good work to do, and the benefits of doing the job all the way to the end are tremendous. We hope all of you agree with this philosophy, and that you’ll come in and see us several more times before calling it quits for the year. We look forward to seeing you, as always. Really. Come on by we’d love to help you accomplish readying your lawns and landscapes for winter.