Fallen Leaves
In the fall as the leaves begin to drop it is important to clean them up. Fallen leaves can eventually  decompose the soil beneath. This can be good for a forest environment but not for your lawn where your grass can be smothered.
Don’t trash those leaves! Put them on your compost pile, and look forward to next year’s healthful compost.

Composting
All healthy plant material can be composted, including twigs. Unhealthy material should only be composted if you manage your compost pile and can be sure that the compost pile will reach a temperature of at least 120 F and remain at that temperature for two to three weeks. A “hot” compost pile will kill disease organisms and insect larvae.
If your composting practices are more casual, don’t put unhealthy material in the pile.

Perennials
In the fall, after the flowers have finished blooming it is a good idea to cut back your perennials. Peonies and roses especially should be cut back. To know where your perennials are in the spring, mark their location with a stake when you cut them back.
Also be sure to divide overgrown perennials. Remove the bulbs or tubers of tender plants like gladioli, dehlias and tuberous begonias and plant daffodils, tulips and other spring-flowering bulbs.

Annuals
Remove your annual flowers, but first collect seeds for next years flower beds. Hearty plants like larkspur or rose campion will return next year if you scatter seed in the fall.

Mowing
Continue mowing your lawn at 3-31/2 inches and be sure to leave the grass clippings lay as they provide valuable nutrients to your lawn.

Trees and Shrubs
Now is the time to prune and trim back branches and also the time to plant new trees and shrubs.  Take advantage of our winterizing fertilization application for your lawn and also for your trees and shrubs.

Additional fall tips:

Re-edge your border along your flower beds and your lawn.

And most importantly, take some time to relax, carve pumpkins and enjoy the changing season.