It might be tempting to believe the plants in your yard will just be fine throughout the changing seasons. After all, nature does just fine by itself. But the truth is that landscaped flowers and hedges in your lawn are not quite in their natural environment. And while Tennessee may be in the south, our fall and winter seasons are capable of harming plants.
But don’t worry—there are many things you can do to prepare your garden and landscape for fall weather. Help your plants regulate their temperature, from their tips to the roots, with these tips for Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, Hendersonville, and the surrounding areas.
Add Mulch to Thin Areas
Mulch is a great way to regulate ground temperature. It acts as an insulator for soil and keeps plant roots from freezing and protects them from damage. Most gardens have some kind of mulch, but in preparation for fall is a great time to evaluate the status. If there are any thinned out areas from wind or decomposing mulch, you can add some on to swaddle your plants away from dropping outdoor temperatures.
Examine Plants for Signs of Plant Disease or Insect Infestation
Now’s the time to cure a plant of any possible diseases or insect infestation. If the trees go into colder temperatures unhealthy, they’re less likely to cope with fall and winter. It makes them more likely to die. A professional landscaping service, like Master’s Landscape Design, will be able to help you ensure your yard is free of plant illnesses or pests.
Have Any Summer Annuals Replaced with Plants That Can Handle Cooler Weather
Summer annuals are great for the warm days of June, July, and August. But once the cool, fall weather hits, those annuals won’t survive too well. There are lots of cool weather annuals that will thrive in your garden during the fall. For example, flowering kale and cabbage will be a wonderful addition, while Dusty Miller is a light purple plant that thrives in fall temperatures. Sweet alyssum produces lovely clusters of buds during the fall.
But these aren’t your only options—talk to Master’s Landscape Design for complete recommendations that go well with your particular garden.
Have Weeds Removed Before Cooler Weather
While weeding is helpful any time of year, it’s a great task to complete before fall temperatures. It helps make room for the Dusty Miller you’re planting but also gives your plants the resources they need to absorb to prepare for winter. Weeds suck up all the nutrients, leaving nothing behind for your plants and making them weaker.
Weak plants have a tougher time surviving through the winter months and coming out of dormancy in spring.
Put Down a Fertilization Treatment
Fertilization in the fall is an important practice to maintain your yard. It helps your yard recover from the drying, brutal summer that sucks out nutrients. This is becoming more important as climate change makes summer more difficult for plants to deal with. Fall fertilizer also gives your plants an extra boost of nutrients for winter.
Pruning and Trimming
This is also a good time for many kinds of plants to receive pruning and trimming services. Removing dead branches at this time will help the plant prepare for new growth in the spring.
Let Masters Landscaping Help You Prepare for Fall
Our experts at Master’s Landscape Design will help our Tennessee clients in Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, Hendersonville, and nearby areas prepare their landscapes for the cool weather. If you want your yard to stay healthy and beautiful, contact us today at (615) 288-2052.