Lawn

• Fall fertilizers probably should have been applied in September, but if you didn’t get that done, there are winterizer fertilizers that can still be applied. Check with your local ICN Pro for timing and product recommendations for your area.

• Remember to keep your mowing height up! A taller turf is a healthier turf! A taller turf is more vigorous and more able to compete with weeds.

Garden

• Mulch, mulch, mulch! Mulch can act as an insulating blanket for plants. It is a good idea to apply mulch under your trees and shrubs. Be careful to avoid volcano mulching (where you pile up mulch on the trunk of the tree). This can lead to insect and fungal problems. Mulch also works exceptionally well in perennial beds. The mulch will protect the crown of the plant from the freezing and thawing action that happens when temperatures fluctuate in the winter.

• Plant mums! Mums are the signature flowers of fall. They come in a variety of different flower shapes, sizes and colors. Mums are considered to be hardy plants throughout most of Illinois, however they will greatly benefit from a protective layer of mulch. The mulch will help to protect them from the freezing and thawing of the upcoming winter months. Mums will also prefer well-drained soil. Be careful to not place them in an area that stays wet, like by a downspout.

• Plant TREES! Whether you would like to add a shade, flowering or evergreen tree to your yard this fall is a splendid time to do it! When you plant in the fall the tree will begin to grow new roots almost immediately, and will continue growing those roots until the ground freezes in December. Then when the ground thaws in the spring, that tree will be ready to grow!

• Plant BULBS! There is nothing more beautiful, and welcome, in the spring than a grouping of colorful bulbs! Whether they are tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, or a smaller naturalizing bulb- now is the time to plant these spring beauties! Also be sure to try a new bulb this year! There are so many different types of naturalizing bulbs like snowdrop, anemone, snowflake, Siberian squill, Glory of the snow, … and the list goes on. These bulbs and flowers are typically smaller than a tulip or daffodil, but they are just as charming!

• WINTER PANSIES-Winter hardy pansies are a great way to give a fresh look to your annual beds. Winter pansies will bloom this fall and then most will come back the next spring to bloom again!

Landscape

• Fall is a wonderful time to plant trees, and it is also a great time to plant shrubs! If you have considered landscaping this year, but think you’ve waited too long, you’re actually just in time! Consult with your ICN Pro for fall landscaping suggestions.

• Plan for spring- If you’d like to update your landscape but aren’t quite sure where to start or what to do once you’ve started- fall is a great time to plan! Contact the ICN Pro at your local garden center for landscape design suggestions. They’ll be happy to help you and then when spring comes along , you’ll be ready to get started!

Birding

• Hang out your birdfeeders and begin feeding. Your fine-feathered friends will need more food in the months ahead. Now is the time to familiarize them with your yard and your feeders!

• Get a good Bird Book! Bird watching is an interesting hobby all by itself, but it becomes even more interesting and somewhat challenging if you make an effort to identify the birds that are feeding at your feeder! You’ll be surprised that the number of different birds you have!

• Set out your squirrel feeders -- squirrels are very inquisitive animals and can be very entertaining to watch. Try setting out a feed box or a squirrel chair and watch your furry friends scurry about!

• Keep your birdbaths clean and open. Birds need a fresh water source in the winter. Birdbaths are a nice way to entice more birds to your yard. There are a number of different birdbath heaters available that help to keep your birdbaths open all winter.

Houseplants

• Bring your house plants inside when the night-time temperatures begin to slip into the low 40’s. When you bring them in watch for insects and diseases to develop. Often times if houseplants have been outside in the summer, when they are brought in they lose some of their leaves. This is a normal reaction to the change in light.

• Be sure to not over-water your houseplants! Some species like more water than others, but in general it is a good idea to let the soil dry out between waterings.

What is an ICN Pro? An ICN Pro is a green industry professional that has past a series of exams relating to woody plant material or perennial plant materials (or both), diseases, and a variety of garden center topics. An ICN Pro has the resources available to help you with most garden situations, and if that ICN Pro can’t help, he or she is connected to a group of professionals that can!

Happy Gardening!

More tips...

by Carey Boehm-Corrie, ICN Pro of the Year (2003), Boehm's Garden Center, Rushville, IL