Since fall is officially here, it is time to get out there and so some work to your garden. Want to ease the amount of work you will have to do in the spring? Now is the perfect time to clean up your beds, making less work for you when spring rolls around.
Various members of the Forest Park Land Management team have expert advice to get you started. Take a look a these tips.
“The seed heads and pods from spent flowers can be left for the fall and winter landscape. They are visually interesting and provide food for wildlife.”
“It is important to monitor the moisture available to evergreen shrubs and trees during the fall and winter. Since they do not shed their leaves like deciduous plants, they need more water during the fall and winter.”
“Fall is a great time to collect and process seed. Seeds with fleshy fruit surrounding them don't store well and should be planted right away. Other seeds can be dried and stored in a cool place like a refrigerator until ready to be planted.”
“Newly planted trees and shrubs need water through the winter. Just because they are dormant doesn’t mean they no longer need care.”
“When cutting back flowers in the fall and winter, leave stems 4”-6” tall. Many pollinators over winter in hollow stems.”
“Winter is one of the best times to plant trees, especially those that provide winter habitat and food sources for animals such as Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) and Persimmon (Diospyros Virginiana).”
