Dennis' 7 Dees Commerical Landscaping
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Fall Gardening Tips

September

  • It’s harvest time! Pick winter squash when the “ground spot” changes from white to a cream or gold color. Dig up potatoes, onions, and garlic when the tops die down. Store in a cool and dark location. Mulch carrots, parsnips and beets for winter harvesting.
  • Plant new lawns or over seed a patchy one until mid October. We’ve got the know-how and all of the supplies to make you successful. Come into the garden centers to get started! It’s also prime time to aerate and de-thatch your existing lawn.
  • Continue to plant cover crops in the vegetable garden as space opens up. You are doing this to prevent weeds and to improve your soil for next spring.
  • Plant spring flowering bulbs now. Our wide selection of daffodils, tulips and crocus will reward you with early spring color! Be sure to use Dr. Earth bone meal or bulb food at planting time. Bulbs also make great additions to your fall/winter container plantings.
  • Divide and conquer: dig up and split large patches of iris, peonies and other early spring blooming perennials. Plant or transplant trees, shrubs and perennials for a jump-start on spring. Always use a starter fertilizer when planting or transplanting and use Root Master B-1 to help establish a healthy root system as quickly as possible.
  • Pro-active pest control can greatly improve your garden’s productivity. Control slugs now to reduce your garden’s breeding population. Use bait traps or non-toxic Sluggo or try our newest natural product Liquid Slug & Snail Away.
  • Apply beneficial nematodes to rhododendrons and azaleas suffering from root weevil damage. Bring a leaf sample in to one of our garden centers for diagnosis.

October

  • This is the best month for planting woody shrubs, trees and herbaceous perennials. Our year-round garden centers are well stocked with great plant selections; remember that fall is for planting!
  • Fall is also a good time for garden maintenance and clean-up. Recycle disease-free plant material and kitchen scraps into compost. Pick up Metro’s Guide to Home Composting brochure or stop by for more information at one of our garden center locations.
  • Give your lawn a fall fertilizing to recover from the stress of summer and provide superior winter hardiness. Control sprouting lawn-weeds while they’re small by hand weeding or spray Bonide’s Weed Beater Ultra for cool-weather performance.
  • Test your soil with a home test kit or contact OSU extension service for a local soil testing company. Amend soil to correct deficiencies and improve as needed.
  • Dig and divide rhubarb (should be done about every 4 years), replant and mulch with manure or Bumper Crop soil amendment. Also mulch roses, rhododendrons, azaleas and berries. We suggest Black Forest as the best mulch for this project.
  • Plant garlic and shallots; continue planting cover crops and spring flowering bulbs.
  • If gophers and moles are driving you crazy, consider traps or try MoleMax repellent by Bonide.
  • Check and spray houseplants for insects before bringing indoors. Use Dr. Earth’s Proactive Home & Garden Insect Spray.
  • Plan for winterization of your irrigation system. You can do this yourself or call our landscape professionals to come do it for you at 503.777.7777.

November

  • Pot up and store tulips and daffodils to force into early bloom indoors in December and January. Plant paper whites and amaryllis; allow 6-8 weeks before expecting a bloom. There’s still time to plant spring flowering bulbs in the ground but don’t wait too long!
  • Cooler weather and plentiful rain make this ideal planting time for trees and shrubs. Evaluate your garden’s need for evergreens or plants with winter interest. Cruise thru our garden centers for ideas and inspiration. Continue to plant and transplant until the end of this month.
  • Continue to suppress your slug population with traps or baits. Sluggo is all natural and safe to use around edibles, pets and kids. Also try our new, natural Liquid Slug & Snail Away.
  • Treat mossy roofs during dry spells. Mossy lawns may need improved drainage, possibly an application of lime (do a pH test to confirm). Using Lilly Miller’s Moss Out can control existing moss on roofs, walkways and lawns.
  • Trim chrysanthemums to 4-6 inches tall after they finish blooming but leave ornamental grasses up for the winter to add texture to your garden as well as food and shelter for birds and wildlife.
  • Clean and oil your lawnmower, service as needed. Clean and sharpen tools before storing for winter. Drain and store hoses before freezing temps arrive.
  • Call our landscape department to arrange for fall clean-up services and/or winterization work at 503.777.7777.
  • Protect tender evergreens from drying wind by spraying an anti-transpirant product like Wilt-Stop.
  • Burn off those extra Thanksgiving calories by mulching your garden beds after a late month frost. We love to use Black Forest as our mulch of choice.