Autumn leaves are spring nutrients

Mow leaves into the lawn this fall and be rewarded with healthier soil for the lawn next spring. If you use a bag attached to the mower to catch the chopped leaves, spread those chopped leaves as a mulch around trees and shrubs, and also in your perennial beds. The leaf-grass mix can also be added to the vegetable garden or, of course, your compost pile. Healthy leaves in garden beds can be left in place now, or, if you are a neatnik, rake leaves off beds, chip them up by running over the leaves repeatedly with your mulching mower, and return them to the beds. They will return the nutrients to the soil over the winter. If you are into neither mowing nor raking, spread a layer of compost over the garden beds and let Mother Nature do all the work of breaking down your leaves.

Put the summer garden to bed

In the vegetable garden, finish harvesting your herbs and vegetables early this month. Green tomatoes can be ripened indoors on windowsills if frost threatens. Root vegetables such as carrots and potatoes store well in cool humid locations. Don’t let this year’s diseases and insects carry over to next year in the fallen leaves and plant debris in your vegetable and ornamental beds. Remove all the debris, bag it, and trash it. Do not compost vegetable garden plants.

Drought watch

Most of New England experienced a drier-than-usual late summer and early fall. If we don’t get more rain soon, you will need to water trees, shrubs and any new plantings. Even established plants need lots of water before entering that long, dry spell when water is unavailable after the soil freezes.

Plants & trees need our help! 💦💦💦

Fall is officially here!

We have had a warm, dry September.  Though it has allowed us to spend more time outdoors, some plants may be showing drought stress in any areas that do not have controlled irrigation. This is a crucial time for plants to have adequate water, as they prepare for winter dormancy.  Most energy is being directed to root growth and they need moisture.  Lack of water in fall can lead to winter burn and could be fatal to some trees or shrubs.

Check the soil around your gardens - if it seems dry and dusty, give the beds a drink. Slow and steady watering will help the water get deep into the ground and encourage roots to grow deeper as well. Consider using a drip hose that runs for extended periods for the most efficient application.  Rain may help, but keep in mind that a quick downpour does not allow time for the water to be absorbed and usually results in runoff.  Also, a dense tree canopy above will prevent most of the rain from touching the ground at all.

Our new Town Hall Welcome Garden!

Click to enlarge the flyers below to see the details of our latest civic development project for the Town of Dracut.  We welcome your help in creating a beautiful Welcome Garden!

Let's Create a Garden!