Summer is winding down. While your garden may have looked beautiful in June and July, it’s likely that your yard could use some TLC after the hot weather has taken its toll. What’s more, there’s another whole season ahead of us where proper landscaping can really make a difference. After all, landscaping can raise property values by as much as 12% — and even if you plan on remaining in your home for the foreseeable future, having excellent curb appeal can be a point of pride.
To that end, we’re sharing some expert landscaping and gardening tips that will help to transition your yard from summer to fall. Refer to this handy guide before the seasons start to change so you’ll be on top of all of your complex landscaping needs and will have the proper landscaping supplies at your disposal.
Weed, Deadhead, and Prune
Weeds tend to thrive during the late summer, so you’ll want to keep weeding throughout the month of August. Doing so can make it less likely for more weeds to come back next year. You should also deadhead the flowers that are wilted and brown in order to encourage new growth for the rest of the season. Don’t remove flowers too early, however, as they can be vital for pollinators when blooms are more scarce during the fall. Take this opportunity to remove dead branches and prune back trees. Be sure to water them deeply, as well.
Plant Perennials and Shrubs
Although many gardeners will plant both annuals and perennials in the spring, autumn can be an excellent time to plant your perennials for next year. Since fall weather is more consistent, this will allow your plants to grow stronger and come back beautifully in about six months’ time. You’ll also get to enjoy fall-planted perennials for three seasons out of the year, which essentially gives you more for your money. Shrubs can be planted during the fall, as well, and they may often be available for a very affordable price. Be sure to check out your local stores that sell gardening and landscaping supplies to see what they might have available for fall planting.
Attend to Your Veggies
Many Americans have participated in the Victory Garden resurgence during the pandemic. But even if you were growing your own veggies well before this year, you’ll know that we’re coming upon peak harvest season. Zucchini, okra, onions, garlic, eggplants, peppers, and even tomatoes are plentiful and ready to eat during this time of year. Make sure to stay on top of what’s ready in your garden and harvest when appropriate so you don’t waste these delicious resources. You may also want to start planting Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Swiss chard, carrots, and beets as we head into fall; that way, you’ll be able to enjoy them once they’re ready toward the end of the year. If you grow herbs in your garden, you can actually relocate them indoors (even if they’d technically be able to withstand the winter weather). That’ll allow you to enjoy them during the colder months and use fresh herbs in all of your meals.
Fertiliize and Service Supplies
Fall is also a great time to fertilize your lawn, as this will encourage your grass to keep growing during the next few months. To that end, don’t stop watering your grass or mowing, either. But once the mowing season is over, it’s time to get your landscaping supplies serviced for next year. You might need to have its blade sharpened, change its oil, or have other maintenance performed so it’ll be ready after being stored throughout the winter. Remember that this can be a great time to find deals on all types of landscaping materials and landscaping supplies , as well. Provided you have a good place to store them until spring, you can have mulch, soil, compost, and more ready for you when it’s time to get out in the garden again next year.
Getting your garden ready for fall can be hard work. But most homeowners feel that the effort is well worth the payoff. By staying on top of your late summer and early fall yard maintenance, you can enjoy all your landscaping has to offer for a longer period of time. Even better, you’ll set your garden up for success when spring rolls around again. For more information on how our landscaping supplies can help during this seasonal transition, please contact Gateway Home and Garden Center today.
