We hope you had a safe and enjoyable Labor Day! Summer isn’t over for a few more weeks with the official arrival of the Fall season on September 23rd. Many clients ask us the best ways to keep their properties looking great at this time of year now that most things are beginning to die back in preparation for winter. Below we will discuss some of the best practices to employ during this changing time.Later this month, I will be traveling to Texas with some of our administrative staff so we may attend the National Association of Landscape Professionals annual ELEVATE Conference & Expo educational and networking experience. By attending the seminars and networking events with other leading professionals in our field, it allows us to stay on top of the latest trends and practices while gathering ideas to implement when we return. We always look forward to this conference to reconnect with peers and take a lot of notes! – Shayne
LOOKING GOOD!
Here are some of the best things you can do on your property to keep it looking as attractive as possible as the fall season approaches.
- Keep Watering: Lawns still need about 1.5″ of rain per week. If less rainfall occurs, supplemental watering should be done.
- Fertilize, Aerate and Overseed: See last issue for all the specifics.
- Deer Protection! There is plenty for them to forage on now, but your plantings will become very appealing to them later in the season. Now is the time to consider ramping up the protection.
- Add Color! Fall mums, ornamental cabbages, asters, and sedum are a few superb plants to add to your fall yardscape. There are also many varieties of roses, sunflowers, and dahlias that bloom in early fall.
- Snip, Snip: Cut back any overgrown branches and deadhead flowers to keep everything looking neat and clean.
- Check Masonry or Hardscaping: Inspect for any needed repairs before the freeze/thaw cycle begins and worsens any cracks or splits.
- Drainage: Address any drainage issues before the rain, ice, snow and freezing temperatures arrive.
- Additional Plantings: Now is the time to plant for next year’s spring and summer color. Read more HERE.
- Check for Pests: If you see damaged areas of lawn (see below), that have not responded to watering, it may be grubs!
Contact the office or your landscape consultant today if you need assistance with any of these outlined practices.
GRUBS
Irregular patches of dry or wilting grass may indicate the presence of grubs. The spring grubs grew into beetles that fed on your tender ornamental plants and laid their eggs in May-June. Now, those eggs are hatching in your lawn and those critters are hungry.
If it is indeed grub damage, you will be able to pull back a section very easily because there will be no roots holding the grass in place, and you will most likely see the little white grubs just under the surface. Racoons, skunks and birds will also tear up your lawn if they find them therefore causing even more turf damage.
Unfortunately, grub damaged grass will not grow back so it is important to focus on eliminating any grubs as soon as possible and stop the cycle.
WHERE IN THE WORLD WEDNESDAY
Play along and take us with you on your outings or get-a-ways then send us your photos to participate in
Where in the World Wednesday with a free YardScapes Euro-sticker.
Request one HERE!
We may have started the season with an unimpressive 1 – 7 record, but these fine men rallied to finish the regular season at 9-9 earning them a playoff spot. Seeded at #4, the team was then undefeated, besting the #1 & #2 seeded teams to take home the trophy!
