7 October Yard Fixes That Make Your Home Look RIDICULOUSLY Expensive Next Spring, by Garden Secrets Vault on YouTube. 11 min 53 s.
- Video length
- 11 min 53 s
- Time to do it
- 3 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Plant spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffodils and alliums in October, before the ground freezes. Set each bulb with the pointed end up, about three times its own height deep.
Lift crowded perennials with a fork, split each clump into sections by hand or with a spade, and replant the healthiest pieces at the same depth. Water them in well.
Rake leaves onto the lawn and run a mower or leaf shredder over them. Spread the shredded leaves 2 to 3 inches deep around beds as free mulch, keeping it clear of stems.
Water trees and evergreens deeply once a week until the ground freezes. They keep losing moisture through winter and dry out faster than a dormant lawn, so a slow soak matters.
Plant new trees and shrubs in fall so the roots settle before winter. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball, backfill with soil and water well.
Drain and coil the hoses, shut off outdoor taps, and scrape soil off spades, forks and pruners. Oil the metal parts and store everything dry and under cover.
Photograph each bed from the same spot before the leaves drop. Note what worked, what looked empty and where you want more colour next year.
Tips and common mistakes
Never plant bulbs in waterlogged soil, because they rot before winter arrives.
Keep mulch a few inches away from trunks and stems to prevent rot.
Wear gloves and unplug any powered shredder before clearing a jam.
Name your photos by bed so spring planning is quick.
Questions
When should you plant spring bulbs?
Plant when the soil has cooled but before it freezes, usually late September to early November. In mild areas you can push into December.
Should you cut back perennials in fall?
Wait until spring for most of them. Leave stems and seed heads for birds and winter interest, and only cut back anything mildewed or flopping.
Can you still plant trees in October?
Yes. Fall planting works well while the soil is still warm, as long as you water the new tree until the ground freezes.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
