Fall is an ideal time to tend to your yard, since the cooler temperatures are easier on you and your greenery. Not only is it satisfying to have a well-landscaped yard, but if you’re thinking of selling your home, landscaping might boost your resale value.
We have a few tips that will set you up for a beautiful blooming yard in the springtime once the winter’s cold passes, and add value to your property as well.
Seed Your Lawn for Success
The summer months can be rough on your grass. If your lawn looks patchy, use the cool autumn months to get it back into shape:
- Tend to bare patches in your lawn by raking them to expose soil in preparation to seed those areas.
- Pick up some cool-season grass from your local gardening store. Varieties include Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass and fescue. These varieties thrive in the fall and the spring, and are hardy through the winter.
- Seed your yard with a rotary spreader, then water the grass every day until the winter’s first freeze hits.
- Be sure to overseed empty patches and then cover those spots with compost. If you like, overseed the whole yard and spread fertilizer to fight weeds and prep your lawn for cold temps.
- Continue protecting your lawn by raking up fallen leaves.
Flowers to Plant in Fall
Plant ahead for a stunning spring yard. Spring perennials benefit from being planted in fall and staying the ground through a cold period. Late spring is also a busy time of year for house shopping, so jazzing up your flowerbeds now will set you up for a gorgeous show-ready yard just in time.
Bulbs that thrive in spring include tulips, irises, buttercups, hyacinths, and many other varieties. If squirrels and other critters tend to get into your garden, choose less tasty varieties like daffodils, salvia and alliums.
Once the ground freezes in winter, add a thick layer of mulch to your flowerbeds to keep the bulbs from getting pushed out of the ground during freeze/thaw weather patterns.
Enjoy annuals and fall perennials through the cooler months. Wanting to enjoy gorgeous golds, reds and purples now? Some flower varieties thrive from late summer into fall, if planted in well-draining soil and given enough nurturing. Be sure to consult with your local gardening shop about what flowers thrive in which conditions – some varieties thrive in the sun while others prefer partial shade throughout the day.
Annuals include:
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Rudbeckias
Fall perennials that grow in gorgeous fall colors include:
- Autumn Joy
- Yellow Heliopsis
- Chrysanthemums
- several varieties of Asters
- Blanket Flower
- Anise Hyssop
- Goldenrod
Trees to and Shrubs Plant in Fall
Before digging to plant any trees, be sure to call your local utility company so you know where any underground lines are located.
When planting trees, you might want to get started as soon as you can – a young tree needs time to take root before the first winter freeze hits, which could kill it. You’d preferably plant the tree early enough that it gets six weeks of mild weather to take root.
- Maple: This tree comes in several varieties, and its leaves turn beautifully in fall.
- Buckeye: These trees drop seeds in early autumn – soak the seeds for a day before planting.
- Black Gum: These trees change beautifully in fall and are beloved by birds and bees.
- Flowering Dogwood: These trees bloom in spring and its leaves turn nearly purple in fall.
- Ginkgo: The leaves of the adaptable ginkgo turn a spectacular yellow in fall.
- Bald Cypress: This knobby tree handles various conditions well, and its leaves turn a burnt orange in fall.
If you live in an area with particularly harsh winters, you might lean towards planting a tree that adapts well to changing weather patterns, such as an evergreen. Check with your local gardening store to learn what varieties will grow well in your climate.
Evergreen Trees to Plant in Fall:
- The Thuja Green Giant grows three feet per year and is often used to create privacy barriers around property.
- The Murray Cypress grows up to 4 feet per year and stands tough through the wintertime.
- Pine trees, if planted in the fall, will focus their energies on root development, and grow heartily once spring comes.
Shrubs to Plant in Fall:
Shrubs are excellent for creating barriers within your landscaping and “framing” various features of your yard. Be sure to dig a generous-sized hole to plant a shrub, and water it at the base at least once a week until the first winter freeze. Here are some great choices for fall:
- Evergreen shrubs: There are many hardy varieties that will keep some color in your yard year-round, including Blue Rug Juniper, Ever Red Loropetalum and Pancake Arborvitae.
- Holly: These evergreens also come in many types. Jersey Princess Holly grow thick, shiny leaves and bright red berries, a great choice for a pop of color in your yard.
- Nandina: The Obsession Nandina shrub’s leaves turn a beautiful scarlet in the fall and grow to a height of 3 to 4 feet.
- Abelias: These pretty plants thrive in the South, attracting pollinators and butterflies while flaunting deer-resistant leaves.
- Spirea: Looking for something particularly low-maintenance? Spirea have a long flowering window and their blooms come in various joyful colors.
Conclusion
Planting, seeding, mulching and pruning your landscaping takes a bit of sweat, but the payoff of lush growth and stunning blooms is well worth it, whether you’re doing it for personal satisfaction or to increase your home’s resale value. Happy gardening!
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