October in the Yard...

Pests and Diseases: Every season brings with it likely culprits.  This time of year watch for:

1. Azalea Lace Bugs – Lace bugs on azaleas will result in leaves with tiny white dots that make the leaf appear washed out. If you suspect lace bugs, apply Neem, Hi-Yield Systemic Insect Spray (with imidacloprid), or a Horticulture Oil. 

2. Brown Patch – Brown patch in your lawn has a tendency to show up in cool, wet weather. Watch for circular patterns of brown grass.  Treat with MicroLife Brown Patch Organic Biological Fertilizer or Fertilome F-Stop granules.

Achieving a Lush Lawn:  Most gardeners apply a spring Weed and Feed, but not as many know how important fall care can be to achieving a lush lawn.  From late September to early November you should apply a Winterizer.  Winterizer is a specially formulated fertilizer that is designed to strengthen roots and assist the lawn in recovering from the hot summer.  Winterizer is very low in nitrogen (the growth factor) and high in potassium (the last number in the N-P-K ratio).  Potassium is important for improving root structure.  Healthy roots lead to a lawn that can handle the winter elements, crowd out weeds, and provide for a green, lush spring lawn.

Winterizer should be applied when daytime temps are closer to 75 degrees. Applying to early (when temps are still in the 90s can burn your lawn), but if you wait too late the grass will be dormant and unable to benefit from the potassium.   

Maintenance:  Early Fall offers a window of time to trim evergreen shrubs and summer flowering shrubs if needed. Trimming in October will allow the new growth that emerges (after the trim) to harden off before a potential first frost later in the year. Make sure you don’t trim:

• Spring flowering shrubs like hydrangeas or azaleas since they have already begun setting their blooms for next year.  

• Winter flowering shrubs like camellia japonicas and camellia sasanquas.

Fall is also a great time to take note of perennials before they begin to go dormant. You might even mark them to ensure they aren’t damaged during the winter months when dormant and harder to see in the landscape. Trim up anything that is mushy or showing signs of powdery mildew.

Dividing Daylilies and Hostas:  After the blooms fade, you can divide perennials like daylilies and hostas. To divide daylilies (or hostas): dig up the plant and clean some of the soil to expose the roots. Divide the root into smaller clubs using your hands, a hori-hori knife, or a garden spade. Each smaller clump should have a healthy root system and 2-3 fans of leaves.  Replant each smaller clump with fresh compost and water thoroughly. 

Purchasing Spring Flowering Bulbs:  Fall means garden centers will start carrying spring flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, snowdrops, hyacinths, and allium. It is a good idea to purchase early to ensure the best selection, however, it isn’t quite time to plant.  Planting should be done when soil temps are closer to 60 degrees. Tulips and hyacinth bulbs must be refrigerated for eight weeks before being planted in December/January.  After the chilling period, plant in well-draining soil - ensuring you provide the bulbs with a cool, moist environment but that aren’t in sitting water where they may rot over the winter.