While the beautiful colours of fallen leaves are attractive, it does not mean you can skip the lawn maintenance during this season! Be sure to rake frequently and patch up any brown spots in the grass.

Once your lawn is taken care of, spice it up with a bit of colour. As your summer plants start to fade, replace them with vibrant mums or other colourful flowers.

Making your front door the focal point of your home’s exterior is always a good tactic for curb appeal. You can spice it up a bit more with a simple wreath.

As the trees lose their leaves, your home becomes more exposed, making the exterior appearance even more important. If your paint is chipped or faded, apply a fresh coat to revive your home’s appearance.

Be sure to clear out leaves and other debris from your gutters and downspouts to protect your home from water damage.

As the days get shorter, it becomes even more important to illuminate your walkways with flood lights or lanterns to create a safe path to your front door.

While a wreath and a pot of seasonal flowers make your home look inviting, going overboard won’t. Keep that in mind… especially during the Holidays.

The post 7 Curb Appeal Tips for Fall appeared first on Landscape Edging Blog.

Plant seeds like poppies, cosmos and delphiniums in the fall. They will sprout and grow in the spring!

(Make sure the varieties you chose are suitable for fall sowing and can grow in your area).

Plant your flowering bulbs in the fall and you’ll thank yourself in the Spring!

Check your local nursery for the best options in your area.

You can continue growing veggies through the fall and winter, or get your garden beds ready now for spring planting. To enrich the soil, add compost or consider growing a cover crop.

Fall is the best time to plant garlic bulbs for a plentiful and delicious harvest in the new year!

Many plants can be divided and moved 4-6 weeks before the first frost.

Read more about dividing hostas here.

Be sure to dig up and store these bulbs properly for the winter so you can re-plant them next year!

Read more about storing tender bulbs here.

Prepare for winter by setting up your weather protection. Now is the time to get your cold frames and polytunnels ready.

Read more about winter protection for shurbs here.

Empty and drain your garden hoses and rain barrels before you store them for the winter. Remember to also shut off, drain and protect outdoor water faucets using an insulated frost cover.

You’ll need to find out what water plants need specific winter care. Whether you have plants or fish, you don’t want your pond to freeze solid.

Recirculating pumps can be set up to run at the bottom of the pond to prevent this from happening.

If your fall season is dry, give young trees and shrubs a deep watering with a tee soaker before the first frost.

This will hydrate them throughout the winter months.

Dispose of the diseased plants from your landscaping. Do not add them to your compost piles as it will further the spread of disease.

Find out the proper way to dispose of them in your area.

Now is the time to clean, oil, sharpen and repair your favourite garden tools.

This is a much more enjoyable chore to be done when the weather is mild, rather then early spring when there’s still snow and harsh winds.

It might not be fun, but organizing your shed will make room for your winter storage and allow you to have everything ready for spring.

Be sure to empty, wash and disinfect garden containers so they are ready to use in the spring.

Now the fun begins! Review your gardening year, noting your successes, your failures and your wishes for next year.

Here’s a throwback to a post we wrote in 2015 on planning for next year!

The post 14 Fall Tips For A Better Spring Garden appeared first on Landscape Edging Blog.

1. Not mowing in a regular basis.

When manicuring the lawn, it is crucial to keep consistent with recommended grooming requirements. Some types of grass can be severally damaged if it is cut too low.

2. Not doing once-over lawn manicuring

As winter nears, it’s typical for homeowners to reseed, aerate or mow the lawn. For optimal health and proper growth, plant specialists recommend the once-over lawn manicuring technique to ensure it looks nice and even throughout the winter. The final process is to reemphasize the lines diagonally. This will keep a lush, neat appeal even as springtime returns.

3. Not Watering Plants

Despite the colder winter months, the hedges, fruit trees and shrubs all need water. Poor watering of your plants could result in some serious damage arising from dehydration and/or disease.

4. Not using the correct plant fertilizer.

Be sure to use the right fertilizer for your plants based on the weather and temperatures. Granular fertilizer isn’t an ideal product for plants because it takes longer to dissolve, especially in colder temperatures. If the lawn or plants aren’t getting enough fertilizer, it is more likely for it to wither or suffer severe frost burns.

5. Not using high-quality mulch to treat the soil

Poor quality mulch could infest healthy soil and plants with fungus or pests. Gardeners should mulch the soil of trees or houseplants and the surface if the weather permits it. If the ground has frozen, it will be difficult to undertake this task successfully.

6. Not raking the leaves.

Yes, it’s a pain, but neglecting this duty can allow fungus and mold to thrive with the snow accumulating on the leaves.

7. Not jumping into spring planting.

By delaying your spring planting, you are ensuring that your harvest won’t be as fruitful since it takes a while for plants to mature. Shrubs, crops and trees need adequate time to grow.

8. Not stocking up on new garden supplies.

Summer and spring clearance at a local gardening supplies store are the best place to get bargains on tools, soil, pots, seeds and more! Sometimes it can save you up to 90%!

9. Not dealing with pests.

If you notice that crops harvested have worms or signs of pest infestation, it is necessary to take care of the yard to minimize infestation. Not taking care of the problem promptly can have serious consequences.

The post 9 NOTS to Avoid This Fall/Winter Season appeared first on Landscape Edging Blog.

1.  The Weather

The fall weather is only around for so long before winter strikes and the ground freezes up. Get it done now! Fall is the optimum time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials because they are just heading into dormancy and will happily establish themselves next spring when the weather warms up.

2.  The Budget

Sticking to a budget can be challenging, but there’s no need to make it any more difficult. Get it done now, while your landscaping dreams still match your budget! Having the heavy work done this fall will help save money on your landscaping project in the spring!

3.  The Wait

There’s so many reasons why you could procrastinate, but getting it done now will not be something you regret. Get it done now, before the spring line ups for landscaping companies begin. Now is the perfect time to get your fall landscaping project underway.

The post Three Reasons to Do Your Fall Landscaping NOW! appeared first on Landscape Edging Blog.

Other plants die back after the first frost; the foliage becomes brown & messy. Trim back any stems or leaves and add them to your compost pile.

If any plants were diseased or had a lot of insect pests, cut the stems/foliage back to a few inches above the ground and dispose of the plant material in the trash, not the compose pile. This will help prevent a recurrence the following year.

If you have any invasive weeds such as Japanese Knotweed, Oriental Bittersweet or others, you can begin the removal process. Dig them up and/or use a herbicide. Be sure to follow the directions on the label of the herbicide, this will prevent overuse of and exposure to the chemicals. Remove smaller weeds or tree seedlings by hand to prevent them getting established next spring.

Finally add a layer of mulch of bark or leaves to the soil, a two inch layer is sufficient. The mulch conserves moisture and prevents ‘frost-heave’ where the freeze-thaw process forces plant roots to surface of the soil.

These steps will ensure a healthy flower bed for the following year.

The post Flower beds – Fall Cleanup appeared first on Landscape Edging Blog.

Burning bush (Euonymus alatus)

This shrub is named for it’s bright red leaves in the fall. It’s easy to grow and does well in most soil types. Thrives in sun to partial shade. Full height is about 9′ it has an open rounded shape. USDA zones 4 – 8.

Spirea (Spirea)

There are several varieties of spirea so it’s easy to choose the ideal size, leaf and flower. They are native to the US, very easy to grow and drought-tolerant once established. They do best in USDA zones 3-8.

Korean Spice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii)

Covered in intensely fragrant white flowers in the spring and beautiful red-yellow leaves in the fall. There are many cultivars that vary in height from 3′ to 10′. Grows best in full sun. USDA zones 5 – 8.

Ninebark (Physocarpus Coppertina)

Ninebark is grown primarily for its foliage color and decorative peeling bark. Foliage color varies from burgundy, yellow or red depending on the variety. They grow about 8′ to 10′ tall but can be kept smaller with pruning. Tolerates moist soil conditions. USDA zones 3-7

Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

These shrubs vary in height from 4′ to 15′ depending on the cultivar. They have showy, large flowers and a long bloom time. Add to this the attractive fall foliage and you have a shrub which looks great all year. USDA zones 5-9.

When summer flowers have gone, these shrubs will add a bright burst of color to your garden!

The post Top Shrubs for Fall Color appeared first on Landscape Edging Blog.

It’s important to keep bird feeders clean so they are free of bacteria. To clean a feeder, use water and liquid bleach. (One part bleach mixed with nine parts water). Dunk the feeder in the liquid so it is entirely covered for about three minutes. Then scrub away debris with a brush and rinse well with clean water. Wait until it is completely dry before filling with birdseed.

Store birdseed in a waterproof container such as a metal trash can (this keeps rodents out) and keep the seed dry. Throw out any damp, moldy seed.

Providing fresh water for birds throughout the winter months is important. One option is to have a shallow dish of water in the yard. However if the water freezes, you will need to refill it with running water.

There are several options to prevent water freezing. Use a bird bath and a pond aerator or drip system. Or use a bird bath with a built-in heating element. Be sure to follow installation instructions very carefully if using a heating element. To keep the bird bath clean, use the same method as for bird feeders.

Providing food and water for garden birds helps preserve the local bird population so that you can enjoy them in your yard the following year!

The post Cleaning Bird Feeders and Bird Baths appeared first on Landscape Edging Blog.

Rake and remove Leaves and Moss

If you have a small lawn, you can do this with a hand rake. Alternatively use a lawn mower with a bagger or mulcher. Removing the leaves allows sunlight and rain to reach the grass and prevents the grass from dying. Put the leaves on a compost pile to create free compost for your garden.

Remove weeds

Apply a lawn herbicide according to package directions. If you want an organic garden, pull weeds by hand, or use an organic herbicide.

Aerate to improve soil structure

Aerating should be done every 2-3 years or when the soil has become compacted. Aerating removes small plugs of soil and improves the soil structure. If you have a small lawn, use a garden fork or aerating sandals to make the holes. For larger areas, rent an aerator or hire a landscape contractor.

Apply top dressing

Top dressing is a prepared mix of sand and soil. After raking and aerating, apply top dressing and use a garden broom to bush the dressing into the aeration holes. Top dressing is available from garden centers, it provides nutrients for the lawn grass and improves the soil texture.

Feed your lawn with lawn fertilizer

Fall is the best time to fertilize the lawn. Choose a high-nitrogen lawn fertilizer and apply it while the grass is still green and before the ground freezes.

Add seed to thin spots

If the weather is warm enough for germination, sprinkle grass seed over bald patches or areas where the grass is thin. Water the area if you do not get any rain. Cover the seed with a thin layer of hay to prevent birds eating the seed.

Drain the lawn irrigation system

If you have an in-ground irrigation system or lawn sprinkler, drain the system to avoid pipes bursting when the water freezes.

Continue to mow

In the fall, grass grows more slowly but it’s a good idea to keep mowing as needed. Cut the grass shorter but make sure it’s at least two inches tall. The closer cut allows more sunlight to reach the base of the plant and this encourages healthy root growth.

Follow these simple fall lawn-care steps and you will be rewarded with an attractive lawn the following year!

The post Fall Lawn Care appeared first on Landscape Edging Blog.

1. Plant bulbs

This is the time to plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils. Get them in the ground before it freezes! Put in a little effort in the fall, and you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous color in the spring.

2. Store tender bulbs

Before the ground freezes, dig up and store your non-hardy bulbs like gladiolus, dahlias, cannas, and tuberous begonias.

3. Prepare your pots

Empty terra cotta and other ceramic and stone flower pots and store them in a garden shed or other covered spot. Leaving them out all winter will allow moisture to get inside, and as the weather warms and cools, the moisture will expand and contract, which could cause the pots to crack.

4. Rake, rake, rake!

Keep the leaves raked up from your lawn and gardens. Composting is a great way to get rid of all those leaves, while turning them into something useful for your garden.

5. Cover it up

Consider planting a cover crop in your vegetable garden. This can help break up clay soil, enrich sandy soil, and get your garden ready for next year’s vegetable crop.

6. Put your tools to bed

Give your garden tools a good cleaning and store them in a shed for the winter. Removing any dirt and chemicals will help prevent rust and corrosion.

7. Give trees a drink

Once the ground freezes solid, your trees and shrubs won’t be able to get any extra water until it thaws. To make sure there’s enough water in the soil, give them a big drink now, and add mulch to help keep the soil moist.

8. Under wraps

Consider wrapping the trunks of newly planted and thin-barked trees like linden, ash, and maple. You can use plastic winding tubes or a brown paper wrap. This prevents the bark from cracking due to the contracting and expanding that comes with freezing and thawing.

9. Prudent pruning

In the late fall, you can prune many types of trees. The sap loss is minimized during colder weather, which means there’s less stress to the tree. Flowering trees like cherry, peach, and plums, however should NOT be pruned in the fall. It’s best to prune them near bloom time.

10. Spring green

If your lawn has bare spots, this is the time to overseed. It’s not as simple as just tossing seed onto the lawn and hoping for the best, though. You need to get the seed down to the soil level, or it will just germinate in the thatch layer and die.

11. Tuck your strawberries into bed

The growing season is over, but your strawberry plants have already set their flower buds for next spring. For a good harvest next year, make sure the berry plants have a snug bed this winter.

Do you have any other landscaping or gardening chores that should be done in the fall?

Share them in the comments below! We want to hear from you!!

A version of this post was originally shared on “Living The Country Life.“

The post 11 Fall Chores That Are A Must! appeared first on Landscape Edging Blog.