- Slice seed, aerate and overseed bar spots in the lawn.
- Plant new evergreen trees and shrubs.
- Water plants deeply in dry weather.
- Schedule your fall fertilization.
- Start planning to protect broadleaved evergreens from deer damage and winter injury.
- Plant bulbs.
- Apply deer repellent to reduce browsing.
- Begin removing leaves and insect disease harboring debris.
- Plant and transplant deciduous shrubs.
- Cable and brace trees to help reduce the risk of storm damage.
- Prune back perennials.
- Protect susceptible evergreen plants from winter injury and anti-desiccant.
- Continue mowing until grass stops growing.
- Apply winterizer to ensure healthier, thicker lawn next spring.
- Mulch boxwoods and evergreens after ground freezes.
- Protect roses, figs and perennials with burlap screens.
- Prune evergreen branches for indoor winter decoration.
- Remove dead and damaged limbs from trees with maintenance prune.
- Prune late summer blooming trees, shrubs and vines.
- Order roses to replace those lost or damaged.
- Apply follow up deer repellent.
- Prune fruit trees to enhance fruit production.
- Apply a follow up antidesiccant.
- Schedule inspection of your tree cables and lightning protection systems.
- Schedule an appointment with your landscaper to assess landscape.
- Complete pruning before new growth begins.
- Remove all protective coverings and winter mulch.
- Cut back ornamental grasses to new shoots.
- Schedule spring fertilization for your trees and shrubs.
Protect Plants from Salt and Snow
Salts and deicers wreak havoc on plantings.
Try to avoid pushing snow that is contaminated with salt into their root zones.
Try using sand or sawdust instead.
Remove heavy snow from trees and shrubs.
Prevent Damage from Hungry Animals Animals have limited options for food source and begin snacking on plants and foliage.
To protect trees from mice and rabbits, place a cylinder of ½ inch mesh cloth around the trunk of your trees.
Reduce Soil Compaction by Spreading Out the Snow Heavy piles of snow on your lawn can lead to compaction which prevents your soil from absorbing the air, water and nutrients that it needs. Try to avoid piling too much snow in one spot.