Lawn Care
• Tall fescue lawns can be seeded out this month. Mulch seeded areas with wheat or barley straw.
• Be sure to water newly seeded areas.
• There is no need to fertilize warm season grasses like centipede and zoysia.
• Keep tree leaves from collecting on your lawn.
• Preemergents herbicides can be applied to prevent winter annuals
Fertilizing
• Fertilize spring flowering bulbs at planting with a balanced fertilizer.
• Store fertilizer in a dry location so it can be used next spring.
Planting
• If you don’t use your garden through the fall and winter months, consider planting a cover crop like annual rye, barley, or wheat.
• Plant spring flowering bulbs like daffodil, tulip, crocus and hyacinth.
• Now is a good time to set out or transplant landscape plants. Be sure to “open up” the root balls on container plants.
• Plant or transplant peonies this month.
• Pansies can also be set out this month to add color to the landscape.
Pruning
• Cut back herbaceous perennials if an early frost kills the tops.
• Any dead or diseased wood can be pruned out anytime of the year.
• Weeds or unnecessary trees should be removed from the landscape.
• Root prune any plants you plan to move next spring.
Spraying
• Poa annua, henbit, and other winter annuals can be controlled with the same preemergent herbicides used to control crabgrass.
• Control the following woody weeds by spraying the recommended herbicide: trumpet creeper and blackberry.
• Insects and diseases can be more severe in the autumn, keep a close eye on your fall vegetables.
• Store pesticides in a secured, dry location that will not freeze.
(Pesticides should be used sparingly! Use only when needed and always follow the label)
Other Activities
• Prepare houseplants to reenter your home. Check them carefully for insects.
• Clean up and put away unused gardening equipment so it will be ready for the spring.
• Take soil samples of your lawn and garden. Remember – a soil test fee is charged during the peak season (December through March). Test now to avoid this.
• Prepare bird feeders.
• Dig and store summer bulbs like gladioli, dahlia and caladium before frost.
• Dig sweetpotatoes this month before frost kills the plants.
• Start putting the leaves from your yard into a compost bin or use them as mulch in your garden.