TREES:

Deciduous trees light the autumn skies with an assortment of fiery reds, oranges, and yellows. Some good trees to consider are Ginkgo, Trident Maple, Paperbark Maple, Black Gum, and Chinese Pistachio. Trees planted in the fall establish better than other months.

SHRUBS:

Fall is a perfect season for planting shrubs. Some to consider include Abelias, Azaleas, Tea Olive, Camellias, and Asian Boxwoods. It is usually dry in the fall - water frequently checking the soil and roots before watering. Don’t shear now, it’s too late. You’ll have brown-edged leaves all winter. Wait until the spring to do any major shaping. Continue to prune out dead and damaged and disease branches.

 

LAWNS:

As you rake up the fallen leaves from your lawn, recycle them as mulch or compost. Newly sodden or seeded lawns should be watered frequently, but more deeply. You should be finished mowing for the year.

 

HERBS & VEGETABLES:

Most of these plants do better south facing. You can still plant onions, garlic, peppermint, parsley, kale, collards, chard, and spinach.

FLOWERS:

With cooler temperatures now - plant pansies, viola, snapdragon and ornamental cabbage and kale. Use a slow release fertilizer at planning time. Keep check on soil mixture - don’t wait until they wilt.

ROSES:

Now is a good time to begin moving roses that have outgrown their location. No need to prune much at all - mostly deadheading. Water deeply only when needed. Stop fertilizing until spring.