Fall Chores

October is almost over. Like most homeowners, the list of gardening tasks is far from over though. Here is a list of common chores in case you forget:

Lawn care
Continue to mow your grass as long as it is actively growing. Generally, on the last cut, the grass should be cut short. Mulching the grass clippings, or as it is often said: “it’s ok to let it lay.” The clippings are a great source of nutrients for your lawn. Take a soil test and apply the recommended fertilizers. Now is perfect time to amend your soil so the grass will have all it needs for next year. If you have had a weed problem, Fall is another time to treat for certain broadleaf weeds like clover and ground ivy. Before any application of herbicides, know what you are trying to eliminate, then read and follow directions. The publication “Lawn management through the Seasons” can help you with fall grass chores.

Bulbs
This is a general term. It includes corms and tubers. Tender perennial bulbs like cannas, dahlias, and gladiolas should be lifted from the soils and stored. For most plants in this category, it should be done after the first frost. Loosen the soil around the bulbs first, then gently remove them. Canna and dahlias can be gently washed, but gladiola corms should be not be wash. The soil can be removed after it dries. Cannas can be stored in mesh bags, dahlias should be wrapped in newspaper with peat moss to prevent drying out, and gladiolus can be stored in paper bags. The Penn State Master Gardeners have the fact sheet “Winter Storage” for you with more tips.

Gardens
In order to prevent diseases next year, it is best to remove all spent plant material from your garden areas. Compost only that which is from healthy plants. Pull any weeds and discard them. Fall is a great time to add organic matter to your garden beds. Use up your finished compost pile and start a new pile for next year. Some perennials should be cut back to ground level for the winter, others will need winter protection, and most will need a layer of mulch to get them through the winter. If you are interested in starting new beds for next year, this is the time to get the areas ready. “Lasagna Gardening” and “Fall Perennial Care” guides can give you advice on prepping your gardens for fall and winter.

Please contact the Penn State Master Gardeners in Lackawanna County at 570-963-6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu for the publications listed and we can help you finish your garden chores for the season.


Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County