Several weeks ago, I got out several articles from years past on how to get your yard ready for winter. I looked them over and puzzled over what to have for a lead for this year’s article.
It soon became obvious. As the days passed and the garden began to fade and the weeds kept growing, the answer was it was time to get going on all the chores.
Here are some of my suggestions:
Check your fence for worn or rotten boards. Erin, who helps me with my yard, did a lot of repairs to my fence. However, when I washed another part of the fence, I found mold. It needs to be washed with chlorine bleach.
Drain hoses well. Last fall, we didn’t put the hoses in the garage. When I started to use one this spring, it had a big leak. I had to buy a new one, a chore because I like lightweight hoses. Stay tuned for an article on how to buy a lightweight garden hose.
Check for trees or shrubs that need to be replaced. This arborvitae died last year. I was so tired of looking at it, I pulled it up. I put tomato stakes in its place to keep animals from running in my yard. Hopefully, Deane, who also helps me with my yard, can plant a new one soon. I wanted to get one at Costco, but by the time I figured out how to get it hauled to my house, they were brown in the center. Arborvitaes need a lot of water and turn brown easily. It’s not a good idea to buy one that isn’t in tip-top shape.
Remove dead branches from from bushes. Rhododendrons and azaleas can't be pruned this time of year, spring is the best time. But you can remove dead branches. Before you prune any bushes, check to see if fall is the right time.
Trim bushes and shrubs away from the fence and house. They can cause damage, provide a way for insects to crawl on your house and fence, and make it difficult to get around them to take care of them.
Pull up any annuals and garden plants that are no longer producing and add to the compost. My beans were great this year, although I picked out a flat variety that was unusual.
Clean up dying foliage from perennial plants and your garden. I’m working on this.
Harvest remaining garden produce. I have carrots, collards, kale, Swiss chard, and, hopefully, a few zucchini. It wasn't a good year for zucchinis, unfortunately. Some years are good, some aren't. The cucumbers are done producing, but I still have a few to eat in the refrigerator.
Harvest herbs. I’m using as much tarragon as possible, because it will die back soon. I’ll harvest oregano and thyme soon.
Rake leaves each week or let them all fall and rake before it gets too cold or the snow falls. I have 40 rhododendrons and 12 azaleas so I had quite a few leaves in my beds in early September. I raked them because I was tired of looking at them all summer.
Pull up weeds and edge flowerbeds. Discard weeds that have seeds in the garbage. I’m working on this.
Remove any dirt that animals dig up. Unfortunately, I have moles in my yard. I pile up the dirt in the backyard.
Check for invasive plants and remove them. The neighbors have ivy that they don’t do a good job of containing to their property. Erin is going to help me with these when we get a break in the rain.
Plant native plants. Here’s my botanist daughter spotting a native plant – a big tarplant – while doing field work.
Clean the birdbath. I store mine for the winter so the water doesn’t freeze and break it.
Empty your slug traps. I use beer in mine.
Plant spring bulbs. I won’t be doing many this year. My niece signed me up for Harry and David’s bulb-of-the-month club. Simri, who helped me with my yard last year, planted dozens of bulbs. I only have a few Harry and David bulbs to plant this fall, and I won’t being buying any more. I’m “bulbed” out.
Examine the exterior of your house for peeling paint or damage. Erin painted the west side of my house this summer, so I’m in good shape.
Other items to work on:
- Aerate and feed your lawn.
- Store garden chemicals. Read the label for information on correct storage or find a guide on the internet.
- Winterize lawn mowers and other power equipment.
- Clean and lightly oil hand shovels, clippers, trimmers, and other hand tools.
- Apply winter mulch after the ground freezes.
Best wishes with your fall yard work. It’s important because you may have expensive repairs or costs if something goes unnoticed for a long time.
Gardening is such great exercise, especially for seniors. I made a ton of pesto from my basil plants and they are still bushy. The weather this year in LA was so weird, that our tomatoes were confused. They are still bushy but not many tomatoes except for Romas. Otherwise, we have tons of succulents that don’t require too much maintenance.
Gardening, in addition to being great exercise, also lifts the spirits. It gets you away from the computer and out there digging in the dirt and taking care of the yard and garden.
I like vegetable gardening the best. I also like flowers, but since I have 40 rhododendrons and 12 azaleas to take care of that’s about all I can handle.