Download - PREPARING YOUR LANDSCAPE FOR WINTER
Forcing Bulbs Alliums
Daffodils Hyacinth
Early Tulips Midseason Tulips Late Tulips
Pasquesi Home and Gardens
At a time when so much is made to crumple up, throw away and forget, we’re thankful and proud to say our roots go deep. We’ve been a vital, growing part of Chicago's North Shore suburbs for over 40 years.
The owners and management at Pasquesi Home and Gardens have always focused on creating an exceptional shopping experience for their customers—and our friendly and informed staff backs up that mission. From our buyers who search the world for new products, to helpful sales associates, to our prompt and friendly deliveries, all of our talents blend together as a synergy of people and products. Since many employees have been with Pasquesi for years, they are valued for their extensive knowledge of the business and products. In turn, we offer that insight to our customers. Because of our team philosophy, Pasquesi is a great place to work and shop.
As a team, we strive to be better everyday.
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FALL CARE FOR NEW PLANTINGS • BULBS
Naturalizing Planting
Buy now, store in a cool, dark location and plant when nighttime temperatures stay in the 40-50s Fertilize at the time of planting
Wait until leaves emerge in spring to fertilize existing bulb plantings as needed Water thoroughly at planting and as needed throughout the fall Mulch tender bulbs or those in areas prone to early sprouting
Wait for the soil to freeze Cover the planting with straw or evergreen boughs
• TREES, SHRUBS AND PERENNIALS Wait a year to fertilize newly planted trees and shrubs Wait until next spring to fertilize perennials as needed
Topdressing perennial gardens with 1-2” of compost anytime Spring, after cutting back plants, makes it easier
Use auger bit on drill to aerate struggling gardens and push compost through the roots Water thoroughly when top few inches of soil are crumbly and moist Mulch the soil to conserve moisture, suppress weeds and insulate the roots
Pull mulch away from tree trunks, shrub stems and crowns of perennials Pruning and Fertilizing Newly Planted Trees and Shrubs
FALL CLEAN UP FOR PEST CONTROL • Remove diseased and insect pest infected plant material
Dispose of in the trash if allowed by municipality Burying is option for some pest problems Burning if allowed - does have negative impact on air quality Hot compost
Temperatures between 150 - 180° needed to kill disease organisms Solarize
About Melinda
Nationally known gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has over 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening, the Midwest Gardener's Handbook, and Jackson and Perkins’ Beautiful Roses Made Easy. She hosts the nationally-syndicated “Melinda’s Garden Moment” program airing on over 115 TV and radio stations throughout the U.S. Melinda also hosts the internationally distributed Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series, including the latest Food Gardening for Everyone DVD set. She is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine, writes the twice monthly “Gardeners’ Questions” newspaper column and a nationally-distributed gardening column. She appears regularly as a guest expert on national and local television and radio shows.
Visit Melinda’s website, melindamyers.com
GROWING AND OVERWINTERING MUMS AND ASTERS • Add mums and asters to the landscape
Set them in containers on steps, deck, patio and balcony Plant them in voids in the garden
• Mums in full bloom in fall focus all the energy on flowering instead of forming roots This is the major reason most do not overwinter
• If trying to overwinter mums and asters Allow those planted in the garden to stand for winter Increase chance of success with winter mulch
Apply straw or evergreen boughs after the soil freezes
• Plants in containers Sink pots in vacant part of garden and winter mulch Move containers into an unheated garage
Insulate the roots and water whenever the soil is thawed and dry
FALL LAWN CARE (phone number in podcast is no longer valid) • Keep mowing
Mow high and often Last cut can be shorter as desired
No need if lawn is regularly mown throughout fall
• Fall Lawn Fertilization Fall is best time to fertilize your lawn
Labor Day A second time between Halloween and Thanksgiving, but before the ground freezes
• Fall Lawn Weed Control A healthy lawn is the best defense against weeds, insects and disease
Even one fall fertilization can greatly reduce weeds Fall fertilization may be enough to help thin lawns with bare spots the size of baseballs recover
Fall weed control Effective against many actively growing weeds Lawn will quickly fill in voids left by dead weeds
Eco-friendly weed killers for lawn Corn gluten meal
Pre-emergent ๏ Big reduction in weeds after three years of spring
(about when forsythia and Vanhoutte spirea in bloom) and late summer / early fall applications
Will also kill lawn grass seed, so do not treat when seeding the lawn
Fehedta and Hedta active ingredient Form of chelated iron Kills broadleaf weeds Surrounding grass turns dark green if product lands on the leaves
Creeping Charlie and ground ivy Treat in spring when in full bloom Or treat in fall after a hard freeze
Violets Triclopyr (i.e. Weed B Gon® with purple label)
Treat in mid September and late October Quackgrass
Anything that kills the quackgrass will kill desirable grass Healthy lawn will help crowd out quackgrass Or start over
Crabgrass
• Overseeding Late August through 3rd week in September is best time Core aerate, dethatch or spread compost for good seed-to-soil contact Cut grass short until grass seed germinates, then raise the mowing height Water often enough to keep soil surface moist Once seeds sprout, reduce watering frequency
• Dormant seeding
FALL LEAVES • Put them to work in the landscape
• Shred and leave on the lawn If the size of a quarter, they won’t harm the grass Add organic matter and nutrients to the soil
• Leave on the soil around perennials, trees and shrubs Act as a mulch
Suppress weeds Conserve moisture Moderates soil temperatures
Provides homes for many beneficial insects Insulate insects, toads, frogs and others that winter underground
• Recycle Turn them into compost
WINTER PROTECTION • All plantings
Water as needed throughout fall and before the ground freezes and mulch soil New plantings, moisture lovers and evergreens are a priority
• Perennials and sub shrubs like butterfly bushes, Russian sage and others
Allow to stand for winter Increases hardiness Provides homes for many beneficial insects Seeds attract and feed Provides winter interest in the landscape
• Late emerging perennials like hibiscus and butterfly weed Mark location with tags Leave stems standing Plant spring bulbs
• Evergreens Avoid needle and leaf browning caused by winter wind and sun
Water as needed throughout the fall until ground freezes Mulch soil with bark or wood chips Antidesiccants
Some debate on effectiveness Wind breaks to shelter plants from winter wind and sun
• Grafted roses Wait for a week of freezing temperatures to cover roses Prune back plants only as needed to install protection Various methods
Do nothing - sometimes works Soil mound
Loosely tie canes together to prevent wind whip Cover base of plant with 10-12” of compost or soil Once ground freezes - mulch
Leaves Install hardware cloth around rose planting before ground freezes Once ground freezes, fill with dry leaves packed tight
Minnesota Tip Method Use shovel to cut through roots a foot away from stems Lay plant on its side Cover with soil Mulch once the ground freezes
• Tender and late plantings of perennials and bulbs Winter mulch after the ground freezes Mulch plants with evergreen boughs and marsh hay
• Non-hardy bulbs and tropical plants Treatment varies with bulb Dig non-hardy bulbs after light frost Cure Gently remove excess soil
Remove foliage Store in cool, dark location A few of the more popular
Banana plant Grow as a houseplant or store like a canna
Cannas Caladiums Dahlias Elephant ears
Smaller varieties do best when grown as a houseplant Cure 1-2 weeks Store in peat at 60°
Tuberous begonias Grow as a houseplant Or cure several days and store in dry peat at 50°
Or let tender bulbs die over winter and try some new varieties next spring
• Mandevilla / Dipladenia, tropical hibiscus and bougainvillea Grow like a houseplant
Bright location and water as needed Allow to go somewhat dormant in cool location
Water often enough to prevent the roots from desiccating
• Container plantings - trees, shrubs and perennials Winter Care for Unplanted Trees, Shrubs and Perennials
Move to unheated garage and water when soil thawed and dry Group in sheltered location and surround with insulating materials Sink pot in vacant part of garden
• Protecting plants from animal damage Fencing
Sunk in ground several inches for voles 4 to 5’ tall for rabbits
Apply repellents before the animals start feeding, reapply as needed Scare tactics
Vary to increase effectiveness Try a combination of tactics to increase chance of success
EXTEND THE SEASON WITH FROST PROTECTION • Protect plants when frost is in the forecast
• Floating row covers Allow air, light and water through Trap heat around plants Can leave on day and night as long as needed Water through fabric No construction needed
• Cloches and cold frames Vent on sunny day Cover / close at night
• Fabric sheets Cover in late afternoon Remove in morning
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UPCOMING APPEARANCES & WEBINARS Check often as more appearances and webinars continue to be added.
September 23rd Webinar
Pollinator-Friendly Perennials for Difficult Situations
September 25th In-Person Green Bay Botanical Garden
25th Birthday Celebration Ask the Plant Doctor Question & Answer Session
September 30th Webinar Shade Gardening for Beauty and Pollinator Appeal
October 9th In-Person Sanger House Gardens
Everything You Need to Know About Hydrangeas
October 20th Webinar Kid & Pet Friendly Houseplants
October 27th Webinar Pruning Tips for Shrubs
Special Thanks to Pasquesi Home and Gardens for Sponsoring this Webinar
Don’t miss out on Pasquesi’s Bulb and Pansy Sale!Pansy 3.5" pots Sale $1.99, reg. $3.99
Bulb Value Packs on Sale for $11.99, reg. $14.99While Supplies Last
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Melinda’s Garden Moment nationally syndicated TV and Radio segments
Birds & Blooms magazine
Books• Midwest Gardener’s Handbook• Small Space Gardening• Midwest Lawn Guides• Minnesota & Wisconsin Getting Started Garden Guide
The Great Courses’ How to Grow Anything DVD Series• Food Gardening for Everyone• Make Your Trees and Shrubs Thrive
• Month-by-Month Gardening in Minnesota & Wisconsin• Michigan Getting Started Garden Guide• Month-by-Month Gardening in Michigan• Month-by-Month Gardening in Iowa
• Your Best Garden and Landscape• Container Gardening Tips and Techniques
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