Page 48 - Indulge August/September 2016
P. 48
WAYS TO PREP
LAWN AND GARDEN
10FOR THIS SEASON
– AND THOSE TO COME
By Jack Romig
Fall, the precious moment when a with few leaves. “If a branch breaks compaction that can make a yard
little effort — made when days
are tolerably cool — can pay off as the in an ice storm, you can have a lot of patchy and bare. Tow-behind aerators
cycle of garden and landscape renewal
comes around next year. Here are 10 damage. It’s a lot less expensive to for use with a garden tractor can be
more-than-manageable suggestions
from landscape professionals on find problems in the fall and remove rented locally for a little as $40 a
getting ready not just for winter but
also for the spring to come. them then.” day, Kuhns said. Honnen likes the
Clean up thoroughly Prune trees and shrubs effortless approach of strapping a pair
of spike aerators to the soles of your
Be thorough in collecting and
disposing of leaves, branches “It’s an excellent time for gardening boots — they do a fine job,
and other plant waste, said Steve
Kuhns of Mason Landscaping in pruning,” said Chris Prorok, of he said.
Northampton. “Take special care
to keep them away from building Plantique in Allentown. “If you Start new plants
foundations,” Kuhns said. “Mice, take care of the normal trimming
ants and so on that you don’t want
in your house can live there” — and of trees and shrubs in fall, there’s Many trees and shrubs thrive in
find a way inside. less heat stress and the plants won’t autumn plantings, taking advantage
Piles of leaves and other
die or defoliate. Take the time to of cool temperatures and ample
debris can also kill the
grass beneath them, said do the shaping you want.” Prorok precipitation. Because they’re
Glenn Honnen, Palmer
Nursery in Palmer Township. recommended cutting roses back to entering their dormant phase,
“Decaying leaves deliver a
big shock of acid,” Honnen a foot or two in height. Honnen said, they won’t be shocked
said. ”Grass doesn’t like acidic soil,
but weeds do. Also, the leaves block Honnen counseled special as badly as in other seasons. Remind
out whatever sunlight might be
available.” attention to crossed branches. “When yourself to water them, though.
Inspect trees the wind and weather move them, Prorock named some species —
It’s easiest to spot bark gets rubbed off and the tree river birch, cherry laurel and dwarf
trouble when leaves are still
on the trees, Kuhns said — is opened up to insects or fungus.” threadleaf maple — that for various
look for bald spots and branches
Keep the branch that looks strongest reasons usually do better when
and corresponds best to the shape planted in the spring. And
you’re after for the tree or shrub. he recommended mums
Cut down perennials, and pansies — hardier
ornamental grasses species that blossom
when it’s too cold for
Few look good once they’ve most perennials — as
48 | INDULGE • AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016 browned, and they may produce yard a rich source of fall and
waste all through the winter. “If you winter color. “They can
don’t do this one, you’ll have a mess,” survive even when
Kuhns said. they’ve been
Aerate the soil entombed in the
snow,” he said.
All three landscapers “They may last until
recommended aeration to fight soil next May.”
LAWN AND GARDEN
10FOR THIS SEASON
– AND THOSE TO COME
By Jack Romig
Fall, the precious moment when a with few leaves. “If a branch breaks compaction that can make a yard
little effort — made when days
are tolerably cool — can pay off as the in an ice storm, you can have a lot of patchy and bare. Tow-behind aerators
cycle of garden and landscape renewal
comes around next year. Here are 10 damage. It’s a lot less expensive to for use with a garden tractor can be
more-than-manageable suggestions
from landscape professionals on find problems in the fall and remove rented locally for a little as $40 a
getting ready not just for winter but
also for the spring to come. them then.” day, Kuhns said. Honnen likes the
Clean up thoroughly Prune trees and shrubs effortless approach of strapping a pair
of spike aerators to the soles of your
Be thorough in collecting and
disposing of leaves, branches “It’s an excellent time for gardening boots — they do a fine job,
and other plant waste, said Steve
Kuhns of Mason Landscaping in pruning,” said Chris Prorok, of he said.
Northampton. “Take special care
to keep them away from building Plantique in Allentown. “If you Start new plants
foundations,” Kuhns said. “Mice, take care of the normal trimming
ants and so on that you don’t want
in your house can live there” — and of trees and shrubs in fall, there’s Many trees and shrubs thrive in
find a way inside. less heat stress and the plants won’t autumn plantings, taking advantage
Piles of leaves and other
die or defoliate. Take the time to of cool temperatures and ample
debris can also kill the
grass beneath them, said do the shaping you want.” Prorok precipitation. Because they’re
Glenn Honnen, Palmer
Nursery in Palmer Township. recommended cutting roses back to entering their dormant phase,
“Decaying leaves deliver a
big shock of acid,” Honnen a foot or two in height. Honnen said, they won’t be shocked
said. ”Grass doesn’t like acidic soil,
but weeds do. Also, the leaves block Honnen counseled special as badly as in other seasons. Remind
out whatever sunlight might be
available.” attention to crossed branches. “When yourself to water them, though.
Inspect trees the wind and weather move them, Prorock named some species —
It’s easiest to spot bark gets rubbed off and the tree river birch, cherry laurel and dwarf
trouble when leaves are still
on the trees, Kuhns said — is opened up to insects or fungus.” threadleaf maple — that for various
look for bald spots and branches
Keep the branch that looks strongest reasons usually do better when
and corresponds best to the shape planted in the spring. And
you’re after for the tree or shrub. he recommended mums
Cut down perennials, and pansies — hardier
ornamental grasses species that blossom
when it’s too cold for
Few look good once they’ve most perennials — as
48 | INDULGE • AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016 browned, and they may produce yard a rich source of fall and
waste all through the winter. “If you winter color. “They can
don’t do this one, you’ll have a mess,” survive even when
Kuhns said. they’ve been
Aerate the soil entombed in the
snow,” he said.
All three landscapers “They may last until
recommended aeration to fight soil next May.”
