The weather is definitely getting cooler and the leaves are starting to change, so the staff at Gertens has prepared some simple tips to help you prepare for Fall!
1. For great Autumn color, add colorful mums and pansies to your faded annual pots.
2. Plant and feed your Spring flowering bulbs (i.e., tulips, daffodils, etc). Now is the time to purchase bulbs for spring color. Visit our bulb selection at our retail facility.
3. For a healthier root system, you should core aerate your lawn and then apply Winterizer.
4. Plan next year's landscape project! Have your yard designed so you are ready to install in Spring. For more information or to get some ideas, visit our Landscape Design department!
5. Perform Fall maintenance on your landscape beds. Pull any remaining weeds, trim and shape non-spring flowering shrubs, cut down and divide your perennials, and then re-mulch your beds.
6. Have your soil tested so that you can add the proper amendments next year. For more information about this service, visit the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
7. Give your evergreens a final deep watering and apply an anti-dessicant to prevent winter burn.
8. Fall is a great time to purchase Trees and Shrubs. Not only can you pick plants with great fall color, you can usually take advantage of end of the season sales as well!
9. Dig up non-hardy summer bulbs (i.e., dahlias, cana lilies, gladiolas) and store them in a dark cool area for the winter.
10. Mark dead or damaged tree limbs that will need to be removed during their dormant season.
As always, Gertens trained horticulturalists and lawn experts are here to answer all your Fall landscape and garden questions.