September is the prime time for any transitional work to be done between summer and fall, especially regarding your landscape. With a little over a week left before the first official day of fall, there are a few steps you can take to ease into the colder but cozy fall months that guarantee a healthy and happy lawn throughout.
Compost and replant
If your summer annuals are looking a bit tired, why not compost them and fill your pots with autumnal fun? Use pansies, ornamental peppers, kale, cabbages, grasses, gourds and pumpkins that will be able to withstand dipping temperatures.
Weed out and fertilize
While it’s still warm out, grab a pair of gardening gloves and a bucket, and enjoy the sun as you clear out your yard of any dried leaves, sticks, or weeds. Then, you can fertilize any empty spots left by the dried patches to strengthen your lawn for the colder temperatures to come.
Wait to mow
Your lawn may benefit more if you let it grow out a little longer than usual. Waiting will allow your lawn to rest from the weekly mowings and regenerate stronger blades that will be able to withstand the colder temperatures.
Move your focus
What is the one thing that marks the official season of Fall? Color-changing leaves on the trees! Instead of spending too much time on cleaning up your summer garden, refocus and give all the attention to what will stand out the most in fall! Cut down any broken branches or re-mulch around the trunks to provide a sturdy base for your trees to shine.
Decorate and iScape it
Find a beautiful, autumnal wreath for your front door or make one yourself! Use preserved oak leaves, acorns or broom corn to make the perfect decor to finish off your fall landscape. You can also look through the image database in the iScape app to try out different looks for your yard and see what works best for you! Download the app now!
Add these perennials for seasonal interest:
Mums are terrific for pots and beds, choose mums that are barely showing any color at the nursery and water them well, once planted, to keep them blooming for as long as possible.
Asters range from 16 inches tall to 5 feet and vary in color from white to pink to purple and blue. They bloom for a long time once the temperatures drop.
Ironweed begins blooming intense violet flowers just before summer ends. Place it at the back of the border, it picks up right when the Joe Pye Weed stops blooming.
Goldenrod is not the source of hay fever, as long rumored. In fact, it’s a long-lasting, beautiful, fall powerhouse that keeps pollinators happy and looks terrific when cut and teamed with hydrangea in a vase.
Japanese Anemone is tall and graceful, available in pink or white, sets itself apart from the typical autumn colors. It may look demure but it’s very tough stuff.
Arkansas Blue Star finished blooming months ago but it’s dense, ferny, fall foliage is bright butterscotch yellow and tends to lighten up the fall landscape.
Not an iScape user? Download iScape now and transform your outdoor living space today!
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/iscape/id439688430
