10/24/2020

Deer:
Oak trees yielded a large crop of acorns this Fall. Deer depend on acorns as their main food source. If you rake up the acorns, the acorn shortage will cause the deer to look for alternative food source . They will most likely choose your plants to be that food source. If you want to feed the deer make a pile of the acorns AWAY from any desired plants you have.

Flowers:
Ornamental cabbage and kale can replace tired summer flowers. The nights are cool enough to force these ornamental plants to start changing their color.
After first frost, dig up elephant’s ears and caladium bulbs and store these bulbs in a dry, paper box or bag, in a warm place (65-70°F). Do not store these bulbs in plastic bags.
Bring gardenia and citrus plants indoors before it gets too cold. Keep the gardenias’ soil slightly moist, and keep the citrus plants’ soil on the dry side. Use Seamate every time you water and use vinegar (1tablespoon per quart of water mixed with the Seamate) every fourth watering. Keep both of these plants in a well lit location.
Tulips and other Dutch flower bulbs can be planted now. After planting the bulbs feed them with plant trust flower and bulb formula. (Do not use bonemeal for spring flower bulbs)
Feed existing Daffodil clumps and newly planted Daffodils with Garden Trust Fertilizer.

Lawn:
Japanese stilt grass can be killed by applying Bayer Bermuda Grass Control without harming your lawn. Japanese stilt grass and crabgrass can be prevented by applying a spring (March) application of Dimension.
Winter/spring weeds (henbit, shepard spurge, and chickweed) in the lawn have now germinated. If you have not seeded, apply Speedzone  weed killer now.
Do not allow baby grass to grow too tall. Mow existing and new grass as needed. Cut the grass to make it 1/3 shorter. The mowing height currently should be about 2 1/2-3”. Make sure your lawn mower blades are sharp. Dull blades hurt young grass plants. Now is a great time to replace the lawn mower’s blades.
Continue to mow your grass without bagging the clippings. The soil temperature is still warm enough for the cut grass to decay and turn into nourishment for your lawn.
Skunks are destroying lawns now, looking for white grubs. The only useful method this time of year to kill white grubs is to apply Dylox and be sure to water the Dylox in after application.
Be sure to keep up with falling leaves on the lawn. It is not to late for a fall application of Turf Trust fertilizer and Kick Start.
If you want a full permanent lawn DO NOT buy grass seed that contained perennial Rye seeds.


Fall planting:
Plant all potted hardy plants such as evergreens, roses, trees, perennials, roses, and shrubs. Do not store these plants outside throughout the winter because the roots will freeze. Now is the time to plant them. Plant these plants in a mixture of soil and Sphagnum peat moss. Then water the plant with Kickstart to promote exceptional root growth throughout the fall.
Perennials, trees, and shrubs planted in October will outperform spring planted hardy plants.

Amaryllis:
Now is the time to shop for Dutch amaryllis. The best blooming amaryllis to buy are Orange Souvereign, Prince Carnival, Apple Blossom, Christmas Gift, and Susan. When planting a Dutch amaryllis, use a pot approximately 2” larger than the bulb. Use Promix, and water with luke warm water one time after potting. Keep the potted amaryllis in a warm place. Light is not important right after potting, but heat is.
After the amaryllis’ flower stem is 5” tall, resume watering the amaryllis. Every time you water the amaryllis, feed with Seamate. When the flower stem is 5” tall, it needs to be moved to a cooler, well lit place to display and enjoy your amaryllis’ bloom.
Dutch Amaryllis summered outside need to be cut back and the bulb needs to be dried out for 7 days in a warm (80 degree) place. Then after the 7 days moved to a place that is 45-50 degrees for 6 weeks before repotting. ( when potting follow the above instructions on potting)

Broadleaf Evergreens
In late fall, protect broadleaf evergreens against winter burn with Wilt-Pruf .  Apply Wilt-Pruf on a day when the weather is dry and daytime temps will be over 40 degrees.