By Mark Packard
It’s time to say goodnight to your gardens. If you haven’t cut back all your perennials yet, now is the time. All perennials including perennial grasses should be cut back close to the ground. Some people like to leave their ornamental grasses tall, but if you cut them back it reduces the risk of rot and keeps your grasses healthy. If you have rose bushes or other ornamentals that are prone to winter kill, it helps to put a fresh layer of mulch or straw around the base of the plant to help insulate them. If you are in a high-wind area, you might want to wrap evergreens like arborvitae or cypress with burlap to keep them from drying out over the winter. Broadleaf evergreens like rhododendron, andromeda, and mountain laurel can be sprayed with Wilt Proof or moisture guard. This will lock the moisture in the leaves to help prevent winter damage. If you have trouble with your hydrangeas getting big beautiful leaves but no flowers, cover them or wrap them for the winter to protect the canes from freezing in the early spring.
Fall decorating is a great way to add curb appeal. A couple corn stalks, a few hay bales and some mums are a great way to enhance the end of your driveway. Make sure when you decorate, you don’t block your house number. This will make it easier for emergency services and delivery drivers to find your house. Your mailbox is the first place people look to find your house number and as the sun sets earlier, it gets harder and harder to find addresses.
Landscape lighting is always busier in the fall. If you are leaving your house before the sun comes up or get home after it sets, landscape lighting is a nice thing to have. Landscape lighting does add curb appeal and makes your landscape look great after dark, but there are other benefits as well. Landscape lighting was originally used for safety and security. If you have steps leading to your front door you should light them up so no one trips or falls because they can’t see the steps. If you have shadows under big plants you can install landscape lighting to prevent places for potential criminals to hide. It’s nice to be able to look out into your yard at night and see everything if you hear a weird noise or if you are expecting company. Finally, landscape lighting is a great way to add curb appeal. If you are trying to sell your house in the fall, it makes your house visible during the drive by hours and could increase showings.