12/08/2018

Lawn

End of year lawn care should include checking the lawn’s pH with a Luster Leaf Ph tester. The Ph should be between 6.3 - 6.7. If the PH is not in this range, follow instructions given with your pH tester. If the Ph is to low, spreading lime (Bonide Turbo lime will cover up to 5,000 sqft ) will raise the Ph. If the Ph is to high, spreading iron sulphate will lower the Ph. DO NOT use Aluminum sulfate.
Remove the remaining leaves from the lawn.
Extra compost can be lightly spread over your lawn to help improve your soil. The thawing and freezing of night frosts will work the organic matter into the soil.
Do not walk on frozen grass wait until after the night frost is gone. Wait until the afternoon to do work in the yard this winter.
Prevent road salt damage near the road and driveway with an application of granular Gypsum.
Remove leaves from your lawn and gutters as needed.

Northern Lawns
If last year your lawn suffered from snow-mold, now is the time to apply Bonide Infuse. Make the first application now and repeat in two weeks to prevent snow mold next spring.

Christmas Trees
Buy your cut Christmas tree ASAP because the cut trees on tree lots are dehydrating if they are not in water. After buying a cut tree, make a fresh cut to the bottom, set the tree up into the tree stand with water, and never let the tree run out of water. Make sure to add prolong to the water to help keep your tree greener longer.

Live Christmas trees
When you plan to buy a live balled Christmas tree, to be planted in the lawn or garden, select your tree now, at your local nursery. Have it tagged and keep the tree at the nursery. A few days before Christmas pick up your tree. Only keep your live balled Christmas tree indoors for less than one week. Dig your planting hole now for the tree, incase the soil is frozen after Christmas. Also have planting compost and a bag of mulch on hand. The compost will be mixed with your soil when planting the tree. Make sure to cover the hole so that no one can fall or trip into it. Use fencing or a cover.
The live tree should be planted in a sunny location.

Home
Winterize all outdoor faucets. Shut them off inside and make sure the pipes are drained. Winterize sprinkler systems. Make sure the pipes and valves are drained. Clean gutters and down spouts from fallen leaves.

If you have a pond, install a pond heater for the winter months. Also, remove, drain, and store the U.V. system in a frost free area.

Bird Bath heaters can be installed in bird baths now.

Store your liquid pesticides, fertilizers, and repellents in a frost free place under lock and key out of reach from children. For more information on storing, visit www.pestfacts.org.

Master Gardener Garden Tables are onsale for the discounted price.

Video of the Table