Fall Garden Checklist

Fall is the time to slow down, take stock and get ready for a cozy winter and vibrant spring next year. We’ve put together a handy checklist to get you started.

Weed and Prep Garden Beds

Once your summer garden has died down, it’s time to clear out any dead plants and other debris, think about prepping any tender perennials against frost and planting fresh bulbs for spring. Now is also a great time to install any new beds or features so no planting time is lost when the days start warming up.

• Clear out weeds, dead plants, branches, plant tags and stakes from garden beds
• Cover and winterize tender perennials
• Bring in stone, cement or terracotta pots
• Plant fall bulbs

Rake, Fertilize and Re-Seed Grass

Shifting nutrients from leaves to roots is the secret to plants’ return each spring, and your lawn is no exception. Although grass appears to stop growing during the colder months, its roots are deepening in preparation for winter. Now is a fantastic time to reseed any dead patches and lay down a nice, slow release nitrogen fertilizer to fuel long, steady growth.

• Rake dead leaves and debris
• Reseed any bare patches
• Lay down fertilizer

Repair and Stow your Mower

No one expects you to go outside in the rain and snow to mow your lawn. With grass dormant and the ground soft and wet, it’s time to put aside the mower until next spring. Gasoline doesn’t last forever, and can actually gum things up if left to sit for more than a few weeks at a time, so make sure to drain the tank if you have a gas powered mower, or add a stabilizing agent to make sure it starts up again next year without a fight. Clean out any dead grass from inside it, make sure everything is well oiled, and remove and store the battery in a well sheltered area away from heat and fuel.

• Empty mower bag
• Make necessary repairs
• Remove the battery and store away from gas cans, heaters and furnaces
• Drain fluids or add a stabilizer

Clean and Store Outdoor Furniture

Depending on what kind of furniture or landscape accents you have, it’s time to clean them and either take them inside or find and repair any damage. Wood and wicker furniture should be cleaned with a few drops of mild, oil based soap and water solution. Natural stone tends to be extremely porous, and can easily crack during a freeze, so it should be kept dry and covered, while wrought iron should be sanded before storage.

• Take in or store outdoor pillows and cushions
• Clean and inspect furniture for damage
• Cover with tarps or patio furniture covers, or store in a dry location
• Repair any cracks in walkways, concrete or stone furniture with a filler
• Apply a sealant for extra protection

Drain Hoses and Sprinklers, Protect Faucets

The same way a good freeze can wreak havoc on your furniture and walkways, it can do just as much damage to your hoses, faucets and even pipes.

• Disconnect, drain and store hoses and sprinkler heads
• Dry and store hose attachments like sprayer heads and connectors
• Inspect your outdoor faucets for leaks or drips
• Drain your faucets and pipes
• Add outdoor faucet covers

Bring In Some Help

Does your task list just keep growing? There’s no shame in calling in some help.

Whatever’s on your list, Newberg Landscaping Pros is on hand all year long- give us a call and let the pros take care of it.