Last Minute Jobs

• Plant any spring bulbs you have left as long as the soil can be worked.  Spring bulbs will not keep over the winter, so you may as well try to get them in the ground.
• Amend soil by working in compost, manure, or organic material you have available.
• Rake leaves and remove from lawns and perennials to prevent them matting down and causing plants underneath to rot.
• Use your mulching mower to chop leaves.
  • Use chopped leaves as mulch—but don’t mulch until the ground has frozen.
  • Put any extra chopped leaves in your compost pile to decompose over the winter.
• Cut most perennials back to 2”-3” and remove foliage.
• Leave tall grasses and perennials with seed pods or other textural interest standing to provide food and cover for birds.
• Create “safe areas” for wildlife by forming pyramids with cut evergreen branches for shelter.
• Protect delicate plants like roses and hydrangeas with extra mulch or covers to provide extra protection during freeze/thaw cycles.
• Store tools, hoses, and outdoor furniture before winter snows to prevent damage.
• Save pruned evergreen, dogwood, and holly branches to use for natural holiday decorations (Store in a cool area until you are ready to use them.)
• Dream of blooming flowers by planting amaryllis bulbs in pots for a beautiful holiday display.