Never fear! There is still time to prepare your trees before winter sets in. The following guide will help you prepare your yard quickly and efficiently.
PRUNING
Pruning is generally performed in the fall. Dead and diseased wood should be removed as clean-up is done. Prior to pruning, determine whether your plant blooms on new wood or old wood. Plants that bloom on old wood should be pruned immediately after blooming (Azalea, Forsythia, Hydrangea, Lilac, Magnolia, and Rhododendron bloom on old wood; all others should bloom on new wood.) If you missed pruning these beauties this year, don’t worry! Just remember to prune them after they finish blooming next spring.
ROSES
Roses should be pruned and mulched in the fall. Cut canes back to two to four feet long and mulch the bush with leaves or pine needles. On climbers, remove old canes that show no signs of new growth and weak, spindly growth.
BORERS
Keep borers from your Aspen, Willow and Birch trees. Bonide Tree & Shrub Care does a great job. It is a once-a-year preventative put on in the fall before the ground freezes. Use 1 ounce of liquid per circumference inch; pour it in a circle around the tree trunk in a systemic drench. There is no spraying involved. It also works great on Maple trees to keep the aphids off of them in the summer.
If you have questions, please give Terrie a call @ The Plant Farm: 509.926.9397
The Plant Farm 