Nobody can predict the weather with 100% certainty but given the unusual weather we have had this summer, we might just have an early fall. Our horticulturalists have been guessing when we might see the first frost of the year, and someone predicted it to be October 4th. She says it's based on the sounds of crickets and when we will have a full moon. We'll see...

What does that mean for the average gardener? Well, fall color is based two things: length of day and temperature. We could see the trees turn color earlier than usual, and even see some green leaves drop if we have a hard early frost. Here are some things to keep in mind as the cooler temperatures move in.

• Update your garden containers with fall plants – mums, grasses, pumpkins, etc. Mums are in full bloom and will last six weeks as will ornamental grasses and flowering kale.

• There are still some insects hanging around, but the annual fall grub population is sparse and will not cause much harm to lawns. You can still treat grub problems with Bonide Grub Beater Granules, available at Hoerr Nursery.

• Aerating your lawn is one of the best things you can do for it! Aerate in the fall to loosen soil, promote root development, and control thatch. If you’re interested in aeration, we can help! Contact Todd in Lawn Maintenance: (309) 691-4561

• The weather is perfect for starting some fall yard work. Remember to get those weeds out before they seed, and cut back fading foliage from peony, iris, daylilies, etc.

• PLANT!!! There’s no need to stop planting when summer ends! You can safely plant trees, shrubs, and perennials until the ground is frozen. Stop out today - we're here to help!

Enjoy these early days of fall!

Ella Maxwell

As trees are preparing for their fall color display, you can help them prepare for a long, chilly winter. Follow these fall tree care tips to keep your tree healthy and strong:

• Mulch! Surround your trees with a layer of organic composted mulch to hold in moisture and reduce temperature extremes. Your trees will thank you for it! Apply mulch in late fall after the ground has frozen.

• Get out the pruning saw and remove out dead branches now to prevent issues in the winter.

• Wrap young or newly planted tree trucks with tree-wrap paper to prevent sun-scalding over winter. Wrap in late fall and remove in early spring.

• Evergreens lose water from their foliage all winter, since they keep their needles year-round. Water them thoroughly before the ground freezes, and don’t forget the mulch!

• Diseased leaves can re-infect a tree even if they have fallen to the ground. Remove leaves from around trees as they fall. Healthy leaves make excellent compost and can be shredded and raked over existing garden beds. Diseased leaves, however, should be disposed of rather than composted or burned.

Enjoy the beauty of fall!

Ella

If you’re like me, you’re already dreaming about your early spring garden! Now is the perfect time to plant spring flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils.

When to Plant
Spring flowering bulbs are only available in the fall, and you can plant them until the ground freezes. The roots will develop until the ground temperature drops to below 45 degrees, so planting now will give them a head-start.

What to Plant
Pick firm, unblemished bulbs. Bulbs that feel heavy for their size are the best choice. Keep in mind that bulbs are tasty treats for squirrels, chipmunks, deer and rabbits. If wildlife is an issue in your yard, consider planting only daffodils or hyacinths which are distasteful to animals.

How to Plant
The best method for planting is to dig and loosen the soil of the entire bed to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. Mix in some bulb fertilizer with the soil, press the bulbs into the planting bed and cover with soil. Plant with the nose of the bulb upward and the root basal plate downward.

A good rule of thumb is to plant the bulb 2 to 3 times as deep as the diameter of the bulb. Daffodils, tulips and hyacinths are some of the larger bulbs and are typically planted 6 to 8 inches deep while the smaller bulbs like crocus or grape hyacinths are planted 4 inches deep.

Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the bulbs and provide the moisture needed to begin rooting.

Where to Plant
Bulbs can be planted neatly in clumps or rows, or in a random manner to give the appearance of naturalizing. Large bulbs are impressive in clumps, and small bulbs look best when they can be planted next to a pathway for close viewing.

*Note: To help you remember where you planted your bulbs, plant a single grape hyacinth bulb with each clump of bulbs. It produces foliage in the fall to mark where your bulbs have been planted!

Remember that for bulbs to perform well year after year they should be planted in full sun to light shade. Bulbs planted in full shade may bloom well the first year but seldom return. The last bit of advice is to allow the foliage to yellow and die in late spring so the bulb stays healthy and maturing.

Happy (fall) planting!

-Ella