Gary's Lawn and Garden Maintenance Tips for Winter

Things are beginning to slow down now, but there is still work to be done to maintain a nice looking landscape.

1. The fall has been so mild that a last mowing may still be in order.  You want to leave the lawn cut nice and even at a height of about 3 inches.
2. If you are doing the 3 fall application program you still have plenty of time to do the last application.  If you have not put down any fertilizer you still have time to apply either 1 or 2 applications.
3. Continue to keep leaves and debris out of your beds through the winter.  They are the perfect habitat for insects and disease to overwinter.
4. As long as the soil is workable you can plant shrubs and trees.  Professional landscapers work all winter - weather permitting.
5. Shrub pruning, mulching and liming can all be done anytime the weather permits over the winter.
6. If you have a vegetable garden, I suggest you cut the dead vegetation and burn it.  Again, it is a perfect place for insects and disease to overwinter.  If you put it in a compost bed you are asking for trouble.
7. Whether you rake, vacuum, mow or mulch, the important thing is to get those fallen leaves off the lawn as quickly as possible.
8. Gather all your scattered garden tools in one place.  Wash all the dirt off, sharpen blades and spray with WD40.  This will prevent rust and the tools will be where you can find them and ready to go in the spring.
9. Make compost.  Compost requires a carbon source (brown stuff) and a nitrogen source (green stuff).  The challenge is to have brown stuff and green stuff at the same time.  A good trick is to use rabbit pellet food as your nitrogen source (green stuff) and dead leaves as your carbon source.  Alternate dead leaves, rabbit food and water in a compost pile.  Table scraps can also be added to the pile.
10. Clean your perennial beds.  Leave seed heads that might be appealing to birds at least until time for new growth.  Mound mulch or leaves around tender perennials to offer some winter protection.  Remove any weeds from beds and mark them so you can find them next spring.
11. Read a good book on gardening in Central Virginia or take a class that might help you in 2012.
12.  Last but not least plan for next year.  Design beds over the winter, jot down what needs changing in the landscape.   Now is the time to decide what you will plant in 2012.  Planning ahead will vastly improve the looks of what you do as well as save you money.