1
Aerate the Soil
Preventing compaction by turning your soil helps air and nutrients penetrate the soil, promoting grass growth and strong plants. Loosen the soil before the first frosts, while it’s still warm.
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Pro Tips
Fall Garden Care in 8 Simple Steps
Good fall lawn and garden care ensure that your garden will flourish in the spring. Here are a few quick steps to take before the first frost in order to prepare your outdoor living spaces for the coming seasons.
2
Keep Mowing the Lawn
Don’t put the lawn mower away just yet! Grass keeps growing right up until the first frosts, so it’s important to keep cutting it regularly. Short grass is sensitive to the cold and long grass is susceptible to mould, so aim for a length of 2 ½ to 3”.
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3
Apply Fall Fertilizer
Promote root, leaf, and flower health by applying lawn fertilizer. All fertilizers add important nutrients to the soil; however, the ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium will vary depending on the time of year. In the fall, a 20-8-8 ratio is ideal, since the added nitrogen will stimulate grass growth before the ground freezes. For best results, always follow the directions on the packaging.
SHOP LAWN FERTILIZERPro Tip
Apply fertilizer immediately after aerating the lawn to help nutrients penetrate the ground’s surface and reach the roots.
4
Repair Patchy Spots
Dense, healthy lawns tend to better withstand droughts. Fall is the perfect time to patch up any bare or dry spots. Simply spread grass seed on and around the affected area.
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5
Plant Shrubs and Trees
Starting in October, it’s time to plant new trees and shrubs. Soil that’s still warm, combined with the milder sun, helps trees and shrubs develop a healthy root system over the following months.
SHOP TREES AND SHRUBSPro Tip
Water newly planted trees or shrubs heavily for about two weeks, then water them generously once per week. Remember that dry, cool weather can cause the soil to dry out faster.
6
Plant Spring Bulbs
October is also the perfect time to plant spring bulbs (also called hardy bulbs) so they can take root before the ground freezes. Daffodils, irises, crocuses, and hyacinths will be ready to bloom when spring comes around.
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7
Rake Up Fallen Leaves
Dead leaves on the ground trap in moisture, block the sunlight, and harbour pests. Get yourself a good quality rake to tackle this fall chore!
SHOP RAKESPro Tip
Don’t feel like raking or sweeping your driveway and patio stones? Leaf blowers allow you to clear away dead leaves and dirt quickly and effortlessly.
8
Tidy Up the Garden
Remove dead or diseased plants by hand or with a cultivator. Then, remove any remaining roots with a rake and prune all perennials over 3 years old flush to the ground (do not prune young perennials).
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