GARDENING BY THE MOON
By: Dr. Robert E. Moon Harvest Horticulturist
Fall is definitely here! The temperatures are still fluctuating but Christmas will be here before you turn around and cold temperatures will be here soon before or right after Santa does his thing! It is time to get your outside area ready for winter. Here are a few suggestions for your schedule.
Clean up all plant debris such as leaves and remove any dead plants. This will take away the hiding places for rodents, roaches, insects and other vermin. This will also remove potential diseases that can infect your plants next year.
Prune your trees for shape and lift canopies on trees next to the street and in your yard. Low hanging tree branches in your yard can shade your turf and low hanging branches on street trees can be hit and damaged by vehicles. When removing branches, make a jump cut before making the final cut at branch collar.
Cut back perennials that have started to decline and remove spent flowers.
Fertilize your beds if you have not done so this fall. Use a winterizing fertilizer.
Replenish mulch in beds to add an extra layer of protection for your plants from the cold weather. Mulch holds in valuable moisture to reduce winter watering and helps prevent unwanted winter weeds.
For another layer of weed protection, add a pre-emergent over the mulch such as Halts or Preen to prevent weeds if you did not apply a pre-emergent to beds this fall.
Protect your valuable clay or ceramic containers from freeze damage. Empty containers and store in the garage if possible. If not, turn them upside down in a protected area.
Clean all your tools. Put away all gardening equipment and water hoses. Protect outdoor faucets from freezing.
If you did not apply a fall pre-emergent to your turf, do so now to prevent weeds from germinating. Apply Halts or Preen at label rates. Control any active weeds in your turf with a post-emergent weed control for Southern grasses. Again, follow all label instructions when applying.
Fertilize your turf if you have not done so in the last 12 weeks. This feeds turf roots during the winter.
Start lowering your mowing height on turf. During the winter, thick turf packs down and becomes more susceptible to diseases that will overwinter and attack new growth in the spring. Drop mowing height by one setting every month until March. And yes, if you do this, you will not have all that debris to remove in the spring.
Plant winter color such as pansies, violas, dianthus, snapdragons, kale, ornamental cabbage and one of the many varieties of Dusty Miller.
Once these tasks are completed, you can rest for a few months. Be on alert for any extremely cold weather fronts headed our way and water all your plants before the front arrives. Make sure to turn your irrigation to the off position after watering.
Enjoy the upcoming holiday season with your family and friends!