As fall fast approaches this year’s end, it’s time to start finishing up any autumn gardening – that is, if it’s still warm enough to even think about gardening in your area.  As for me, I’m in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area where it’s been in the 70′s for all of November this year.

If you’re looking for some great last-minute fall gardening tips, check out our favorite fall gardening tips:

Instead of using solar lights, add a more unique touch with this Cool Idea: Lighting the Dark Garden.

Are those vegetables ripe for the pickin’?  Learn How to make the most of your fall harvest or, if you haven’t started yet, you might benefit from Some like it cold: It’s not too late to get your fall veggie garden growing.

If you are going to start gardening now, have a look at Gardening on the Cheap — Fall is a Great Time for Planting and Finding Bargains for some frugal finds and ideas.

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The beauty of evergreens lie in their name – they add year-round colour and life to gardens and yards.

The beauty of evergreens lie in their name – they add year-round colour and life to gardens and yards. Narrow leaf evergreen shrubs, such as cedar and spruce are most commonly known, but this group also includes broadleaf evergreens including rhododendrons, camellias and laurels. Although these trees and shrubs are a low-maintenance addition to yards and gardens, they do require a little extra attention to keep them healthy throughout the winter.

As the temperatures begin to fall, continue to water evergreens as often as once a week, as long as the air temperature is above freezing. This is especially important for recently planted or transplanted trees and shrubs. Remember to stop watering once the temperature dips below freezing as ice formation can damage evergreens.

Fall is also good time to feed your large evergreens. Spruce, yew, hemlock and juniper need nutrients at their roots, making fertilizer spikes such as Miracle-Gro Evergreen Fertilizer Spikes 12-10-10 a good choice. For broadleaf evergreens like rhododendrons, use something like Miracle-Gro Evergreen Tree and Shrub Food, which is specially formulated for these acid-loving shrubs.

Evergreens are susceptible to moisture loss from the drying effects of winter winds. Protect them from wind damage by erecting a screen made of burlap, shade cloth or similar material stapled to wooden stakes. Sprays such as anti-desiccants or anti-transpirants can also help prevent winter moisture loss. These sprays, which can be used on both broad and narrow leaf evergreens, coat leaves with a clear film that does not interfere with plant growth, photosynthesis or other natural processes. These products are available at your local nursery or garden centers and should be applied when the temperature is above freezing.

For information from a Scotts Garden Expert call 1-866-436-8477 or visit www.Scotts.ca.

- News Canada

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1. To prevent disease on your lawn rake up fallen leaves and make your own compost.

2. Seeding your lawn in the fall encourages lushness and keeps weeds out. The soil temperature and moisture from morning dew are especially important to seed germination this time of year.

3. Longer grass performs better in hot and/or dry conditions. Use a higher mower setting and save your lawn from dry patches.

4. Fertilize in early fall to help plants withstand winter. The nutrients in the fertilizer help plants lay down root reserves and contribute to re-growth when grass comes out of a long period of dormancy.

5. Plant new trees and shrubs while the ground is still warm. Stake trees that are exposed to strong winds to prevent damage.

6. A layer of mulch can help prevent weed seeds from germinating and improve a plant’s moisture retention.

7. Plant bulbs in the fall for beautiful blooms next spring. Be selective about types of plants to ensure they are best suited to your garden’s location and condition.

8. Give evergreens a lot to drink. They lose water all winter and under-watering can result in browning.

9. Cover delicate plants with burlap to act as a windbreaker in the harsher weather and prevent damage.

10. Hit The Home Depot for the right tools for fall clean-up whether it’s a rake, composter or a bag of fertilizer.

- News Canada

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• Remove any debris, leaves and diseased foliage from your lawn and garden.

• Continue to mow your lawn at a height of around 2.5 inches as long as it is actively growing.

• Overseed and aerate your lawn. The cool and wet conditions of fall make it the perfect time to overseed your lawn with a pure premium grass seed for a thicker lawn that will crowd out weeds in spring.

• Repair any damaged spots now, while temperatures are cool and there’s more rainfall and heavier dew. Try a product like Scotts Patch Master lawn repair mix for an all-in-one solution.

• Apply a winter care fertilizer approximately four weeks before you expect frost. The fall is the most important application of fertilizer because it helps your lawn emerge healthier in spring after a long winter.

• Plant any flower bulbs in the fall to provide welcome blooms at the first sign of spring. Feed bulbs with an organic choice bone meal.

• Add a layer of mulch to new plants and rake leaves onto flowerbeds and around shrubs to create a warm blanket to protect against the cold.

• Be sure to clean out all your gardening tools and spreaders and lubricate any pivot points or axles. Clean all tools using a wire brush and spray bare metal parts with a penetrating oil to prevent rust.

• Tightly seal all packages and store all fertilizers and chemicals in a cool dry place.

• Drain water from all hoses and coil and hang them properly so they won’t split, sag or kink.

To speak with a Scotts expert on lawn care call 1-866-436-7645. For a Scotts Garden expert call 1-866-436-8477 or visit www.Scotts.ca.

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Garden beds:

• Apply a three to four inch layer of mulch around your perennial plants, careful to leave a hollow at the base. Use fallen leaves as a handy mulch.

• Divide and move plants to thin them out.

• Remove old or diseased plants.

• Leave seed heads for winter interest and to feed the birds.

Lawns:

• Raise your mower height to three inches. Longer grass shades weed seeds and keeps them from sprouting and provides protection for the turf during the winter. Leave the clippings on the grass for extra nitrogen.

• Fertilize with compost or organic fertilizers.

• Aerate soil and leave the plugs on the lawn.

• Overseed your lawn — a blend of grasses will make it hardier.

Trees and Shrubs

• Remove old or diseased branches or broken limbs.

• Add mulch (fallen leaves work well) around the drip line but not up against the trunk.

• Water newly planted trees and shrubs, especially evergreens, if there is no snow or rain.

- News Canada

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Tulips

As you prepare your garden for the chilly winter months ahead don’t forget to plant some bulbs –nothing sends the welcoming signal of spring better than beautiful blooming flowers. Gardeners can select a variety of bulbs including crocuses, snowdrops, daffodils, grape hyacinths, and tulips, depending on the desire for an early-, middle-, or late-bloomer. Or plant them all for a changing garden and colour palette all springtime long.

“It’s best to plant different combinations of flowers and colours and to plant in groups of three, five or seven as this is how bulbs grow in their natural state.” Says Scotts gardening expert Luisa Niño. “Planting bulbs is easy and most come with directions, but the general rule of thumb is to plant at a depth roughly two and a half times the size of the bulb. Try planting bulbs with the pointy ends up, but if you can’t tell which end is up, plant it on its side and it will correct itself. You can plant bulbs anytime in the fall as the ground remains warmer longer than the outside air.”

Help your bulbs return year after year by feeding them. Plant bulbs with bone meal for optimum plant health and bigger blooms. New this year is Miracle-Gro Organic Choice bone meal for a completely natural source of food for all your plants. After bulbs bloom, allow all foliage to remain until it turns yellow so nutrients can return to the bulb, then cut it down.

For more advice or to speak with a master gardener from Scotts call 1-866-436-8477 or visit www.Scotts.ca.

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