Trees / Shrubs – Early fall through mid October is a good time to be thinking about establishing new trees and shrubs. Consider plants that have four season interest and loads of winter character! Pruning now is NOT recommended!
Flowers – Early fall is a good time to dig and divide perennials. Select clusters that are not blooming as prolifically. Many perennials benefit from being divided every three years while some prefer never to be touched. Consult a comprehensive perennial maintenance book for recommendations.
Lawns – Labor Day is lawn fertilization day. Remember, only one pound of nitrogen per thousand square feet! This application will help turf regain some thickness it may have lost over the summer months. Early fall is also a good time to incorporate broadleaf weed control. Do not use “weed-n-feed” products on flowers and veggies!
Vegetables & Fruit – Harvest time for veggies and some fruits means looking for adequate preservation information. The MSU Extension food preservation Hotline is 336-3265 (Kent County) or call your local MSU Extension Office.
Planting—Plant balled and burlapped, balled and potted, and container-grown ornamental landscape plants.
Watering – Irrigate newly planted or established ornamentals any time there is less than 1 inch of weekly rainfall and plants are actively growing. Apply water at the rate or 1 quart per square foot of planting area on poorly drained soils. On well-drained soils, use a half-gallon of water per square foot.
Plant protection – For newly planted ornamentals, spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch over the soil in the bed or around trees.
Source: Rebecca Finneran – MSU Extension & Bulletin E-1947
