Farm Scene for the Salisbury Post

Darrell Blackwelder

November 8, 2002

    The unusual dry weather had many delaying outdoor activities, especially planting lawns until fall rains returned. Now that rain has occurred and temperatures are falling, there are many outdoor chores to consider. Many inquire about outdoor garden chores at this time of the year. Below are outdoor activities home gardeners should consider.
    Many believe that fall is the best time to prune. Actually pruning can be done at any time of the year; however, heavy pruning in the fall may cause damage later in the winter. Heavy duty pruning should be initiated in the spring in mid-March to avoid cold damage. Heavy pruning often stimulates growth in some plants. Unseasonably warm temperatures in late winter spark new growth that is easily killed by late frosts or freezes. Fruit trees and grape vines should be pruned as late as possible to avoid early bloom kill in late winter or early spring.
    Spring blooming plants such as azaleas and camellia japonica should be pruned after bloom. Buds of many spring blooming plant materials are set in the fall; pruning now would remove much of the flowers for spring. This holds true for other spring flowering trees such as dogwood, cherry or redbud.
Trees and shrubs can be lightly pruned now. Excessive summer growth or an occasional limb that hampers mowing can be removed without major damage to the plant.
    Be sure to rake leaves from newly seeded lawns. Recent rains and windy conditions over the past few days produce layers of wet leaves which deter growth and development, especially on newly seeded areas of the lawn. Those with newly seeded lawns need to carefully rake away or blow leaves so emerging seed and established lawns can grow and expand its root system.
    Newly planted fescue lawns should be mowed when the young turf reaches a height of 3 or 4 inches. Make sure the mower blade is very sharp. Dull mower blades literally rip young seedlings out of the ground. Continue to fertilize lawns into late November. Continuous fertilization allows fescue to develop a strong root system necessary for next summer's survival.
    Pansies can still be planted. Make sure that the plant beds are deeply tilled with ample soil amendments. Mulch newly set plants with a layer of fine bark. Dead head spent blooms throughout the fall and winter to allow maximum root growth. Fertilize with a water soluble fertilizer when temperatures fall below 60 degrees. Fertilization during unseasonably warm temperatures causes the plants to stretch and become weak.
    Vegetable gardens and other gardening areas should have a cover crop planted to reduce erosion and weed control. Now is the time to plant rye grain, crimson clover, Austrian winter peas, vetch or annual ryegrass now. These crops add organic matter increasing the workability of the soil in the spring.

Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. Visit the new Master Gardener Web Site at www.rowanmastergardener.com for updates on Master Gardener events and activities as well as archived garden columns.