September and October Landscape Maintenance Checklist

With Fall slowly moving in, here are a few items to check off your list as you prepare your landscape for the colder months.

September and October Checklist

Deadhead perennials and annuals

  • Deadheading is the term used for removing faded or dead flowers from plants. Deadheading plants on a regular basis can help boost flower performance and focus energy to the petals.

Inspect sprinkler system operation/ adjust timing as needed

  • With cooler temperatures moving in, be sure to adjust your irrigation system timer to water less. This will help you to save money and to keep your plants properly watered.

Continue mowing operations

  • Continue to mow as needed. As the season winds down, shift the mower’s blade to the lowest setting for the last two cuts of this year. This will help the sunlight to hit the grass and stay green longer.

Wrap vacuum breaker

  • Make sure to protect the main shut off valve from freezing by wrapping it with insulation and a plastic bag.

Add algaecide to your water feature

  • You will want to add algaecide to prevent growth during the winter months since water will be stagnant.

If you don’t want to operate water feature in winter, winterize your water feature

  • To prepare your fountain for colder weather, be sure to drain all water out of the system. If it is possible, remove and clean your pump before storing it inside. Be sure to cover your fountain to protect it from outside elements that can cause cracks and other operating issues.

Plant fall bulbs (tulips, daffodils, crocus, etc.) and garlic

  • There is still time to get your plants settled before the first frost and to get a jump on spring planting.

Wrap your trees

  • Thin-barked trees in Colorado are susceptible to sunscald and frost cracks. Since the temperatures will fluctuate causing damage, be sure to wrap the tree trunks for commercial tree wrap and leave on until April.

Winterize lawn

  • Fall fertilizing is effective because plants respond to external triggers in fall to start the process of preparing for winter. These triggers are things like day length and temperature changes. As days shorten and air becomes cool, plants respond shifting food reserves from leaves to roots. They store these nutrients in their roots through the winter and shift them to their leave as spring approaches.

Blow out and drain sprinkler system

  • You will want to make sure that you blow out your sprinkler system with an air compressor in order, to prevent freezing.

If you have a vegetable garden pull all the plant material out after frost

  • Leaving plants through the winter can cause problems with disease and insect the following year

Early snows can damage trees

  • Remove snow from evergreens and deciduous trees if load is too great by shaking the branches gently to prevent breakage

Alpine Gardens’ routine maintenance department can handle these checklist items for you throughout the year. If you have any additional questions, give us a call at 970.226.2296.