KATHY'S HOME & GARDEN BLOG - MORE FALL MAINTENANCE AROUND THE HOME AND GARDEN PART II
ARE YOU READY FOR FALL?
Don't forget these important items as well. You still have time!
Getting the mower ready for winter storage. You should already be using fuel stabilizer in all of your gas powered equipment. Follow instructions on the stabilizer bottle. You can also change the spark plug and air filter, but this I usually leave for the mower repairman to do. We've had a Sears lawnmower for 20 years and I think the plug was changed twice and it still runs like a champ. The most important thing is putting in the fuel stabilizer. Gas will go bad over the winter and muck things up.
Check that all your shrubs and trees are ready for snow. Granted, it'll probably be awhile before we get any significant snow but it's sure easier to do it now that the weather is relatively warm than wait till it's freezing out. With shrubs we tie them together with old nylon stockings. This gives them more strength. The snow can really smash them to the ground especially when it's really wet. Keep as much snow off as possible. Check trees for dead or weak branches. Prune the deadwood. On smaller trees weaker growth can be tied together with nylons. If you make a cut in a tree that leaves more than 1 inch wound, you need to treat it with tree wound paint to prevent disease. You can find this product at home and garden centers.
Rose bushes can be covered with Styrofoam cones. Mulch around the base first, weigh them down with bricks. Mulch all your other perennials and they should survive the winter and be ready to take off in the spring.
GOT A SPECIAL TECHNIQUE YOU USE FOR WINTER PREVENTION? Let me know.
DEAN'S TEAM HOME & GARDEN EDITOR,
KATHLEEN WEAVER ZECH
