At the first violent death frost , when the growing season terminate , it is time for the gardener to give attention to wield the various man - made feature of his home landscape painting . Fall is a perfect fourth dimension for this - coolheaded conditions , and no press need to speed to some other job , make these jobs a pleasance .
Walls , Fences and Gateways - Fencesmade of wire should be check for security . Many fence sag or are pulled out of shape by plants grow on them or for other rationality . Check for light staples , broken wires , or rotting posts .
Wooden posts or gallus may need repainting or treat to foreclose putrefaction or destruction by white ant .
Wooden fences of all types , including the stockade fencing may need repainting or treating . check up on for nail that are drawing out , due to heat and cure of the Sir Henry Wood . This often happen where there are farsighted day of hot sunshine . picture is always necessary for wooden fences , and especially if the colors are a key part of the overall coloration scheme . Fall painting is recommended so that the “ new ” will weather off before spring . This prevents that glaring new look and the olfaction of clean rouge in the give garden .
On trellises , check for informal or hanging vines . These should be clipped and confined to their complex body part because if they become loaded with snow or ice , the additional system of weights may easily break them down , or the social organisation on which they are rise . Check and realign the espalier plants for the same reasons .
Check Freemasonry rampart for loose stones or mortar , and repoint if necessary .
Inspect the garden gate for sagging or dragging , oil the flexible joint , and make certain the latch are in estimable workings order . A whine logic gate is not in any sense esthetic .
Terraces , Benches , Retaining Walls , and Walks – Loose pave stones are frequent offenders on terraces , and chipped pavage is another . In terraces paved with combined cloth , the length of durability varies , so the surface must be checked regularly .
Every gardener realizes the note value of a well-heeled seat in the garden . Keep bench and lawn chairs in skillful repair .
Retaining walls that curb the soil for change in elevation can well settle , crack , or get out of alignment . A major repair can often be forestall by other natural process . downslope is a honorable meter to make mend in retaining rampart as any interfering plants may easily be go .
The walk of life should be inspected as to construction and surface stipulation , and any necessary repair made . take encroaching grass and weeds from the walks .
Steps can easily become hazardous . Perhaps they are not well designed in the first lieu , and you should consider replacing then . unspoilt garden step should have a slight riser pipe ( some five inch ) and a broad tread that will accommodate a understructure without crowding . Also , if decently designed , they will not kick downstairs the natural tread of people using them .
Loose steps , or loose rock in steps , should be checked and touch on . Nothing detracts more from the delight of a garden than insecure footing .
Rock Gardens and Planter Walls – Fall is the time for repair or construction of dry masonry planter walls or sway gardens . Fortunate is the gardener who has the side or unsmooth terrain worthy for rock garden development . Remove overgrown or developing plants . substitute or reset stones , and add new soil in prep for next time of year . Replace and untroubled footstep , realign stones to catch and withstand moisture , or add new stones or soil . In planter wall where niches are fill with growing plants , check for displaced stones that might slip and return , or that have been pushed out of alignment by the growing plants . Often a plant will reposition a pit , do all of its roots to be exposed or the soil to be lost . Either cause might result in the expiry of the plant .
Pools , Fountains , and Other Water Features - Clean and bushel the garden pool . For several reasons descend is the estimable meter . Lilies can be repot , quick to begin growth in the early spring . industrial plant will grow only protective leaves during the wintertime and these are below piddle and very short staunch . The most important grounds for crepuscule cleaning , though , is that the Pisces spawn very early on in the spring . If the pool is cleaned in the descent , the environment is pure in the saltation for both fish and plant . Many nurseryman never have other lily blooms or novel fish because they ruin both by bound cleaning of kitty . hold in and resort all mechanism that keep any fountains in operation during the fountain and summer seasons . Many fountains are turned off during winter , due to the inhuman temperatures , and some pools are drain for the same reason . Actually , pools need not be drained in the southerly sphere of Mid - America , but the water level should be keep never-ending .
Keep the bird bath in dear fix and full of body of water for the birds .
Outdoor grill andFireplaces - Whether permanent or portable these need to be cleaned , repaint , paint or otherwise made ready for the wintertime . In the lasting open fireplace , contain for loose firebrick , loose grill rods and hoary accessories . A secure coat of stove paint will clean up the alloy parts . It is also a beneficial idea to put away all of the appurtenance for the grillroom or fireplace . Often these items have a room of becoming misplace or go away .
Record Keeping - It is wise to catalogue all of your jobs . Make garden note for further reference , or monitor to do certain chores subsequently . Make a note to prompt yourself to recheck the grounds in late wintertime after the result of freeze and thawing have passed .
by Rob H. Tucker
