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Getting Perennials
Ready for Spring ... Now!
(ARA)
- The air is cooler. Clouds are darker. Plants are losing their summer luster.
Fall flowers are blooming. Now is the time to get ready for spring! Right?
Getting Ready
Perennial plants are always getting ready for the next season. In the spring,
they are getting ready to grow and flower. In the summer, they are in full-swing
with blooms and leaves. By fall, they are storing food in their roots, getting
ready to go dormant. In the winter, perennial plants are reading gardening books
to find out who their new neighbors will be.
You can help perennials get ready for spring by feeding them in the fall and
doing a few maintenance tricks. This advice is for all perennials: lawns,
flowering plants, shrubs and trees. For specific instructions for exotic plants,
contact your local nursery or county horticultural extension agent for help.
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Food for Winter
When perennials begin growing in the spring, they rely on food reserves that
have been stored in their roots the previous fall. By fall-feeding plants, you
help make sure that roots are filled with food reserves. This helps ensure
perennials will survive winter's ravages and will be ready to grow vigorously
when spring arrives. According to Mike Archer, research coordinator for
Milorganite, "Using fertilizers that are high in water insoluble nitrogen keeps
this nitrogen in the soil until plant roots can take it up. Using a slow release
organic nitrogen fertilizer such as Milorganite 6-2-0 that is high in
water-insoluble nitrogen keeps this nutrient from leaching into groundwater." |
Trees -- Fertilize trees just as their leaves begin to die off. At this time,
trees are rapidly moving food reserves into their root systems. An extra helping
of a slow release fertilizer, which won't burn roots, helps trees survive the
winter and begin growth in the spring. A slow release organic nitrogen
fertilizer such as Milorganite 6-2-0 allows this safety. Milorganite products
also contain a high amount of organically complexed iron which helps trees
overcome early spring chlorosis, or yellowing. This is especially noticeable
with many maple trees.
Lawns -- Northern lawns should be fertilized around Labor Day. This keeps them
in good condition so their roots are full of reserves for winter and early
spring. Another late fall fertilization after lawns quit growing but before
freeze-up gives grass the nutrients it needs to survive the winter. Research at
the University of Wisconsin indicates that northern lawns continue to need
nutrients even when they are not actively growing. Starving lawns during early
winter sets the stage for winter-kill.
Southern lawns are trickier to fertilize in the fall. Even though southern lawns
benefit from a fall application of fertilizer, don't fertilize these lawns
within 30 days of dormancy. If you fertilize too late, you will encourage growth
when they should be entering dormancy. This causes winter kill. According to Dr.
George Snyder, professor emeritus, University of Florida, "Use a fertilizer high
in iron, such as Milorganite 6-2-0. This keeps your lawn looking nice and green
without causing excessive growth. This green stays on even when lawns are not
actively growing."
Other perennials -- Fertilize other perennials such as forbs (broad-leafed
herbaceous plants) and shrubs in the fall. This helps them accumulate food
reserves in their roots, getting them ready for winter and early spring startup.
Generally, this means an application around Labor Day in order for nutrients to
be taken up by the plants and transferred to root storage.
Watering
Some fall seasons you cannot go without your umbrella. And sometimes, you
continually hear the crisp sound of leaves as they rustle about without the
dampening effects of rain. If this is the kind of dry weather you are having, it
is especially important you water your perennials. Without adequate water,
perennials cannot move nutrients they need to survive the winter into their
roots. Water deeply, to rooting depth. Shallow watering only teases plants and,
in some cases, may do more harm than good.
According to Archer, "Watering plants in the fall is arguably the best insurance
against winter kill. Water deeply and thoroughly. Water while plants still have
their leaves and are actively getting ready for winter."
Cleaning up
House cleaning is not just limited to your house. Your garden plants also need
regular cleaning to keep them healthy. Depending on your preference, removing
dead plant debris can be done either in the fall or early spring. By cleaning up
in the fall, you are giving plants a head start in the spring by not allowing
debris to shade the ground from early spring sun. By waiting for spring, you are
giving local wildlife a chance to eat seeds and collect debris for winter
nesting. Thus, many gardeners wait for spring to clean up to give winter
wildlife a better chance for survival.
No matter which you choose, definitely remove debris by the time plants begin
growing in the spring. Removing this debris will also remove hibernating
insects, their eggs, plus disease spores that have over-wintered in these stems
and leaves. Don't put debris known to be infected in your mulch bin. Instead,
bag it and place it in the trash so you don't infect new growth.
Tree leaves -- Use your mower to mulch leaves when they fall. Some leaves, such
as from maples, lie flat on the ground and will smother grass. Mulching leaves
speeds their decomposition into nutrients. Sharpening your mower blade will give
you better results.
Now . . .
Sit back, relax and start dreaming of spring. Your work will be rewarded, if not
by a perfect yard, by one that will withstand the ravages of winter and be ready
for you next spring. Enjoy!
For more information, visit www.milorganite.com or call (800) 304-6204.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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