There's not much left to do out there, but to just enjoy these last few days of beautiful weather! I got some spring bulbs in last month, harvested the last of my veggies, and I've already started cutting down a few perennials - I leave most of them to stand for the winter except for iris, daylilies, hostas and a few others that just turn into a soggy mess. See last spring's post for photos of the some of the perennials that stay looking good all winter long.
But if I have time and the weather's good, here's what I'll be doing:
- watering trees and shrubs with a soaker hose (I've already started - with all our September rain they shouldn't need as much as usual but since I have so many spruce trees that suck up the moisture out of my yard, it wouldn't hurt to add just a little more. Not sure if you need to water? Dig a few inches below the soil surface to check.)
- cleaning and putting away containers as the annuals succumb to frost.
- putting out a few decorative winter containers - some evergreen branches and berries on the front step, back porch and window box on the garage
- stealing leaves - I only have one medium-sized deciduous tree on my whole property (again, too many spruce!) so last year I took to stealing leaves from the neighbours to make leaf mold. I'm hooked and determined to do it again! I'll be using them for mulch and maybe (if I get greedy and steal enough) starting a designated leaf compost bin.
- mowing the lawn one last time - to the lowest height setting on the mower, and leaving the clippings on the lawn as usual. Now would also be a good time to topdress with a thin layer of compost if you have time and energy, but I'm going to wait until spring.
- cleaning the eavestroughs once all the leaves have fallen.
- enjoying the downtime and planning for next year, of course!
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