Fall Clean Up
Here are some great tips to help you transition from bright blooms and flip flops to rich colours and cozy sweaters!
Fall clean up is one of those tasks that is all too easy to put off. We understand! Soaking up every last sun ray on the plus side of zero degrees, while denying the days of double digits are over, is common practice this time of year (that is, until you get your first sip of pumpkin spice!). Trust us when we say that fall clean up does not have to be a daunting chore. Here are some great tips to help you transition from bright blooms and flip flops to rich colours and cozy sweaters!
Switch your planters to fall themes that will last through the first snowfall by pulling your spent annuals and adding in pumpkins, grasses, acorns, corn stalks, cat tails, or dried flowers. The options are endless when it comes to finding decorative additions that can withstand the cold! Choosing rich, warm colours (think red, purple, orange, or yellow) and avoiding browns, will help keep your spirits up while our surroundings transition through the season.
Make hay while the sun shines! It won’t be long until our days are chilly and the sun sets early, so make use of October to tend to your garden. After the final harvest, pull out old plants, add your compost or fertilizers, and till the whole plot. Doing this now not only benefits your soil for next year's planting, it also will cut down on your spring clean up.
Leave no water drop behind! Draining all hoses, watering cans, fountains, barrels, and irrigation systems will prevent damage from the winter element.
Skip the rake! Put your lawnmower to use and get two birds with one stone. While you mow fallen leaves they will be shredded and collected in the bag. Not only does this cut down on time and effort, it also creates the perfect mulch for your trees, bushes, and flower beds.
Divide and cut back perennials. Check out our blog from last month for some great tips on dividing your perennials! www.floralacres.ca/post/divide-to-multiply
Keep them cozy! Cover the bases of your sensitive perennials and bushes with mulch and drape a sheet or blanket overtop for protection from Saskatchewan's tough winters. Come springtime you will be pleased with how quickly your plants bounce back!
Leave no tool behind! Taking the time to gather all your tools and organize them for winter storage will result in a easier start in the spring. Ensure your tools last for years and years by giving them a good cleaning and a light coat of oil to prevent rusting.
