Winter is approaching! Here are ten things you can do to prepare for the colder months ahead.
- For a healthier root system, aerate your lawn with a power aerator (available from rental outlets).
- Feed your lawn with a balanced fertilizer (not high- nitrogen) to build a strong root system for next year.
- Divide perennials in time to establish new roots before winter comes.
- Feed spring-flowering bulbs now through November.
- Improve your soil with quick-growing cover crops (alfalfa, soybeans, clover, buckwheat) to dig in this fall or early next spring.
- Dig and till new ground-level beds, or build new raised beds so they'll be ready for planting in early spring.
- Cut down or pull out any remaining allergy plants such as ragweeds and pigweeds before they flower. One ragweed plant can release 1 billion grains of pollen!
- Chop or shred your leaves for composting over winter.
- Plant garlic and leeks for harvest next year.
- Take a soil sample and get it analyzed at your county extension agency so you can add amendments for next year.