Fall is here...
Fall is here and the temperatures and leaves are falling. Newly seeded fescue
lawns are growing strong. Water is still important at this time of year. You should still be watering 1 to 1 ½ inches per week
for your lawn to look its best. If your lawn has been aerated and over seeded remember not to mow until the new grass is at least
four (4) inches tall. Keeping the leaves off your lawn is also very important. Using a blower is the best way to remove leaves from
the grass. If you use your mower to pick up leaves, remember to have the mower blade set on the highest setting. Using a rake
can damage young seedlings. Please try to keep up with the leaves; not doing so may delay your next lawn care treatment.
Winter annual broad leaf weeds are also germinating at this time. Virginia Green Lawn Care will treat for these weeds with
treatment number seven.
Trees and Shrubs
Fall is a great time to plant new trees and
shrubs. October and November are particularly good as temperatures drop and rainfall increases. This will put less stress on
the plants as they try to acclimate to their new environment. Dig the new plant's hole approximately 2 times wider than the root ball
of the plant. Place the plant so the top of the plants root ball is about 2" higher than the grade of the bed. Backfill the hole with
the existing soil loosely, do not pack in. Fill the hole with water and allow the soil to sink. Add enough soil to taper to the top of
root ball. Apply mulch to a depth of 2-3" but do not pile up at the base of the plant. The mulch should be very thin when the
stem meets the soil and thicken as you move away from the plant.
Summer annual flowers generally need to be
replaced this time of year with plants that can survive the freezing temperatures of winter. Pansies are a very popular and
colorful choice. Till the planting bed to a depth of at least 6", add soil amendment such as leaf mold compost, plant 6" potted
plants on 12" centers, fertilize with a slow release fertilizer, and apply mulch to help retain moisture. These will need watering as
long as this drought continues. 1 to 1 ½ inches per week should be sufficient.
Check the quantity of mulch in your ornamental
plant beds. You should maintain a consistent depth of about 2-3" of mulch to ensure proper water retention. Mulch needs to
be replaced as it decays or is removed when raking leaves. If you have too much mulch or it is not decaying properly, rake and
turn the mulch to incorporate air and moisture.
Christmas Gift?
Christmas is only two months away. Why not give the gift
of a green lawn? Virginia Green Lawn Care will measure the lawn and follow up with you and leave no information at the home.
This makes a great gift that they can enjoy all year long. Call today to find out more information on this great gift idea.
