Fall Down Falls With Your Yard

Today we will focus on horticulture issues associated with fall. Things that temp those of us that like to have everything neat and tidy and don't bother the procrastinator.
Lilies are a funny plant spices.  They have the most elegant blooms with the stringiest foliage.   Lilies are a perennial plant meaning they die to the ground each fall and come back up in the spring.  The temptation lies in cutting the lily back when the leave begin to turn yellow and die.  You most allow the leaves to turn brown before removing them.  The lily builds its food source after blooming from its leaves.  This means if you cut it back it will not have enough food stored to live through the winter.  Often the lily will come back smaller or not at all if you cut it back too soon for a number of years.  It does keep the lily from spreading.  I find it much easier to just cut out sections of the lily in the spring and either transplant to a new area or give away to a friend.  Lilies also can not have Epson salts put on them.  This will kill all lilies dead almost over night.
Epson salts are your friend for other plants.  Using it on other plants in your garden will allow the plant to uptake nutrients they need that are bound up in the soil other wise.  So if you see your garden turning yellow during the growing season feel free to mix up a batch of Epson salt water to give them a drink.  Just stay away from all lilies.
Fall is also the time to dig up bulbs that will not make it to spring after they have died back.  No, I don't do this I find it easier to just plant new ones each spring.  I hate the mess of storing them in a cold, dry dark place.
Plants that are not as winter hardy should be cover with a thick coat of mulch to protect them through the winter.
Plants that only loose their leaves are called deciduous.  These plants should not be trimmed back in the fall.  They put on their buds (flowers) during the winter so they can bloom first thing in the spring.  They should be pruned after their bloom in the spring.
Oaks should only be pruned in either very cold or very hot months like July and January.  This because of the oak beetle.  They only attach the tree when the sap is flowing.  The sap does not flow when it is very hot or cold.
Evergreen trees  and shrubs loose leaves year around and can be pruned at anytime of the year.
Plant any trees  or shrubs you may want to add to your yard at least 30-45 days before the first freeze.  This allows the tree or shrub to establish itself  before winter.
If the snow and ice all disappears and the weather warms up make sure your trees and shrubs have water.  The plants still require water in the winter months.  Without moisture they will die.
These are a few of my favorite easy tips to keeping your yard looking awesome.
Happy leaf raking

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