Lawns
15 Fall Projects that Take Only 15 Minutes
15 Fall Projects that Take Only 15 Minutes
Fall is always a busy time. So busy that it's tempting to forget about the yard until spring. Problem is, if you wait till spring, your yard just doesn't have the get-up-and-grow you expect. If you have 15 minutes here and there throughout the fall, here are 15 easy things you can do that will make a big difference come spring.
1. September: Feed Your Lawn
The difference between a "so-so" lawn and a truly beautiful lawn both now and next spring is two fall feedings. Feeding in early September helps your lawn begin rebuilding grass roots that were damaged during the hot, dry summer. Since this is also a great time to rid your lawn of weeds, do two jobs at once by using a good weed & feed, such as Scotts® Winter Guard® with Plus 2® Weed Control.
» Find out about fall feeding products
2. Spruce Up Your Lawn by Reseeding
When kids play on a lawn that's still hurting from summer heat and drought, it can get damaged. Spruce it up by reseeding with quality Scotts® grass seed and a fertilizer, such as Scotts® Starter® Fertilizer, the day you seed. After that, just keep the seed and young grass watered, and hold off on any weed controls until the new grass has been mowed 4 times.
» Learn more why fall is the best time
3. Create Patches of Color in Your Beds with Fall Bloomers
Create patches of color in your beds with fall bloomers. Replace your tired looking summer blooming plants with mums, asters, pansies, flowering cabbage and other fall bloomers. Look for special displays at your local garden center. Just add Miracle-Gro® Potting Mix to your containers for big blooms.
4. Clean up the Garden
Your perennials may be past their bloom by now. Your vegetable garden may be done. If so, cut them back. You'll help keep bugs and disease away. While you're at it, use what you cut to start a compost pile.
5. Keep Bugs out of Your Home
Bugs and spiders start looking for a warm place to live as winter approaches. Kill bugs inside and keep bugs out with Ortho® Home Defense MAX® Perimeter & Indoor Bug Killer.
6. October: Drop Your Rake and Mulch Your Leaves
Don't let tree leaves smother your grass. Contrary to popular belief, fallen tree leaves will not insulate your lawn during winter. In fact, they can block vital sunlight and thin your grass. So, drop your rake and mulch your leaves to dime sized pieces with your lawn mower and then apply your fall feeding. Find out more about this technique.
7. Fall Feeding Number 2
Once you've mulched your leaves, it's time for your second fall feeding. Scotts® Turf Builder® WinterGuard® Fall Lawn Fertilizer gives your lawn the nutrients it needs to store up energy for a healthy spring push and helps to break down those mulched leaves.
8. Plant Spring-Blooming Bulbs
Check out your garden center for a great selection of daffodil, crocus, hyacinth, tulip and other spring flowering bulbs. Plant them in masses or tucked into other beds for a surprise of spring color year after year, and don't forget to feed them with Miracle-Gro® Organic Choice® Bone Meal.
» See our video on planting bulbs
9. Plant a Tree or Shrub
Fall is a great time to plant a tree or shrub. There's less shock, and the roots start growing early in spring. Better yet, they're often on sale about now. Just be sure to feed it with Miracle-Gro® Tree & Shrub Fertilizer Spikes or Miracle-Gro® Shake 'n Feed Continuous Release All-Purpose Plant Food.
» Find out more about tree and shrub food
10. Have Some Fun. Carve a Pumpkin
Show your artistic side with a great, big pumpkin. When you're done, plant the seeds and grow your own pumpkin for next year.
11. November: Mow at Your Summer Height of 2 to 3 inches
Don't let mowing myths ruin your lawn. Mow at your summer height of 2 to 3 inches until your grass stops growing into early winter. Do not lower your height for the final cut. (Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede can be mowed at a lower height of ¾ to 1 ½ inches.)
12. Expand the Kinds of Birds You Attract
Attract more colorful birds to your feeder. Skip the ordinary wild bird food this year and expand the kinds of birds you attract. Fill your feeders with one of the specialized wild bird foods from Scotts® and hang a suet feeder to delight your family with a wider range of birds and woodpeckers.
13. Clean Up your Tools for a Fresh Start Next Spring
They've served you well all season, but now it's time to put the tools away. You'll keep them from rusting if you clean them up before you hang them up. Also, if you're done mowing for the year, do your winter mower maintenance for storage.
14. Stow your Lawn Furniture
It's probably too cold now to sip lemonade on the patio, so put your cushions away and haul the grill and furniture into storage until next year.
15. Check the Gutters
While you're hanging holiday lights, check the gutters. Thanksgiving weekend is when many people are out on ladders hanging lights for the holiday season. If you're up on one, take the time to clean out your gutters. You don't want clogged gutters when winter storms roll in.
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