8 Fall Landscaping Tips to Knockout Now
Can you believe it? Fall is officially here. As you drive through the neighborhood, you can see the trees starting to change, and when you step out in the morning, you feel the fall bite in the air. That means it’s time to prep for winter and get our fall landscaping done before Mother Nature changes heart and brings on winter and freezing temps. Doing a little work this fall will make for a greener spring. Here are a few fall maintenance tips from the Town of Castle Rock.
Cut Back On Watering
As the days grow cooler, reduce your watering schedule. The town recommends adjusting your watering schedule from every three days to every six days. This schedule will help ease your grass and plants into winter rather than shock them when you turn off the sprinklers for the year. It’s best to keep watering deeply to encourage healthy roots – especially for plants.
Last Mow
Skip your bag on your lawnmower when it comes time for that last mow of the season. If you have leaves, use them as mulch in your yard to help increase moisture in the soil. It will also help control weeds. If you have excess mulch, use it for your garden beds.
Aerate
Aerating is a fall tradition in Colorado. When you aerate your lawn, it loosens the soil and relieves compaction, allowing valuable nutrients and air to reach the roots.
Fertilize
Experts recommend using a slow-release, low-phosphorous fertilizer in the fall. If you don’t want fertilizer, organic compost is actually better for beds and aerated yards.
Replenish Mulch
Give your trees, shrubs, and perennials a fresh mulch bed for the winter. It will help protect them from unpredictable temperatures, secure moisture, and help control weeds.
Plant Now
Believe it or not, fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs. Soils are warm, and roots have time to adjust.
Wrap Small Trees
If you planted young trees over the summer, you’ll want to wrap the trunks to protect them from the snow and ice buildup.
Drain Your Sprinklers
Before the first hard freeze, you’ll want to winterize your sprinkler system to avoid any freezing pipes. Check out this video from Castle Rock Water on how to winterize your sprinkler system. Failing to take care of your sprinkler system this fall could lead to costly expenses in the spring.
Fall is here, and it’s time to tackle this annual chore while the weather is still nice. For more information about water conservation in The Meadows and Castle Rock, visit crconserve.com. You’ll find many helpful tips to save on water and maintain a great-looking yard.