We’ve had a nice early season storm this year. It will soften the ground and is a really nice start. Hopefully lots more to come this winter. Even though we have had what feels like a winter storm it is still fall.
With the rain we had and still fall, if you have not done your fall fertilizing yet you should do it as soon as possible. Some trees are starting to show fall color but you can still get the fertilizing done. This fertilizing is important because it gives plants a good boost and also gives them stored food for winter. Next spring they will use that stored food for growth as soon as the weather warms. A balanced fertilizer is good for amost everything in the landscape. Citrus trees would like a citrus fertilizer and this should be the last application for them for the season. Don’t feed them in the winter. Rhododendrons and azaleas should not be fertilized now unless it is with a bloom fertilizer. This will help give more blooms next spring. The same could be used on Dogwoods if you have one that does not want to bloom well. It may help.
After this early rain, it really does make an ideal time for fall planting. The ground will be a bit softer for digging and still warm ground to get good root development before next spring. The weather is now ideal for fall planting of trees and shrubs.
It also is an ideal time to put in daffodils and tulips for next spring blooms.
Next month we will be getting in our Blueberries, pomegranates, figs and also bare root berries and asparagus and artichokes. Usually they come in the second week of November. I will notify via email and on our Facebook page when they come in.
Don’t forget to do your dormant spraying of your fruit trees during the winter dormant season. It is too early now but the first spraying will need to be done in November. Use copper mixed with horticultural oil or Neem oil and spray the entire tree as well as the trunk. Rake up leaves from this year when they fall to help reduce the sread of the fungus that causes leaf curl. Remember to spray 3 times during the dormant season. We suggest Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentines day as easy dates to remember.
There is still time to plant your winter vegetable if you have not already done so. We will have them available for another couple of weeks. When you plant, use a vegetable fertilizer in the soil before planting and then re apply about 1/2 way through the season.
Enjoy this beautiful fall weather we are having. And remember that fall is the best time for planting trees and shrubs.
Also remember to present this email or the prior email before checkout for 15% off purchases of regularly priced merchandise through the end of October. Excluding metal garden art.
We hope to see you soon.
Jeff
