Autumn is probably the time of the year when you have the most to do in the garden. As the leaves start forming a layer on your garden, you might have to tend to your lawn more frequently than before. Tidying up your autumn garden is, nonetheless, something that you need to consider as an utmost priority. With that in mind and without further ado, here are a couple of tips to help you out with all of this.
Removing the leaves
The first thing that comes to mind when we talk about tending to your autumn garden is that you don’t have to be a perfectionist about it. You see, the problem with leaves lies in the fact that a thick layer blocks the sunlight and air from reaching the grass, as well as encourages the spread of diseases. So, you need to remove the thick layer. However, does this mean that you have to remove every single leaf that touches the ground? Absolutely not.
There are a lot of those who believe that skipping the raking entirely doesn’t actually kill the grass. First of all, a fallen leave adds an additional physical layer to your lawn. By decomposing, it adds to the nutritious value of the soil. In a way, it may act as a layer of mulch, which would definitely be a positive thing. So, when faced with two seemingly opposite tips, what do you do? Why not both? You can remove the thick layer but leave some of the leaves as they were. This way, you cut your work in half and get the best of both worlds.
Avoid pruning
One of the most important pieces of advice that you need to hear is the fact that you need to avoid pruning anything in the autumn. Autumn is the start of the colder part of the year and pruning stimulates new growth. In other words, you’re stimulating a plant to grow just as it’s trying to go dormant. Another reason why pruning in autumn is such a bad idea is due to the fact that you should never prune the tree when it’s wet or damp outside. This is the single simplest way for you to aid in the spread of various diseases. In other words, it’s far safer to prune in winter than in autumn.
Order a shed
As you might have noticed from the above-listed, landscaping requires a plethora of tools and equipment. This equipment needs to be stored someplace safe, which is why you need a shed. Those who find themselves to be particularly DIY- or carpentry-savvy might want to consider making one on their own. However, you can also order a portable one online. This is not just for your equipment but also for some spare parts. For instance, having a chainsaw is a must but you should also have a stock of replacement chainsaw chains, just in case.
Tend to the health of your soil
When it comes to fertilizing your lawn, now’s the right time for you to get engaged. So, get your fertilizers and use them in autumn in order to get the most effect out of them. Also, keep in mind that this is the right time for you to try your hand at composting. Making DIY compost is a fairly simple thing, as well as a method for you to rid your home of all the food leftovers (save for meat and dairy), old newspapers, etc. This way, you can improve the nutritious composition of your soil.
While you’re at it, you might also want to check the soil pH of the lawn in question. This way, you can check its health and take all the necessary steps of precaution. A lot of low-end soil-tests are quite inexpensive and even though they aren’t as precise, they’re definitely indicative of the fact that you may have a problem.
The reason why it’s so urgent that you hear all of this is due to the fact that it’s a to-do list that you’ll have to check every single year. This means that instead of being one-time projects, these are the tasks that you have to repeat year in and year out. So, make an effort to tidy up your garden for autumn and make sure to learn from your experiences so that you can make some adjustments for next year.
