Falling temperatures have reminded us that our time of
illusion is over and winter will be here soon.
We don’t need to watch the nightly TV weather forecast to know that
there is a chill in the air. Plants feel
it too and like people, need to bundle up for the winter.
The
first step is to clean up the total landscape.
Fallen leaves and twigs can become hazardous. Lawn grasses need air and can’t thrive under a
coating of wet leaves. As leaves decay
they create slippery spots on walks and patios, and those leaves can lead to
falls. (Another one of those reasons for
the name of the season?) Keep garden litter raked up this month and throughout
winter. Discard any diseased leaves, but
place healthy leaves in compost piles to decay over winter and provide
excellent mulch in spring.
