Fall yard cleanup season is here! The blazing heat of summer is over, and the cooler days of autumn have arrived. And, right on schedule, the leaves are falling from the trees. Now is the traditional time for fall yard cleanup. It’s time to harvest the remaining fruits and vegetables from the garden, rake the leaves, and generally clean up the yard and garden to get ready for winter. Fortunately, there is a full arsenal of labor-saving tools to make fall yardwork easier. For pruning, we've got heavy-duty loppers. For controlling fallen leaves, we're got a powerful cordless electric leaf blower. Plus, there's always room in the shed for a quality pair of gloves. Here are some of the best tools that make fall yard cleanup easier and faster. Fall Yard Cleanup: Loppers Make Quick Work of Pruning A great pair of loppers is a handy tool when it’s time to prune a tree or trim a shrub. You can even cut off dead canes from a favorite climbing rose. The Extendable … [Read more...] about Great Tools Make Fall Yard Cleanup Easier
Garden
Fall Planting for Spring Flowers
Fall planting is awesome. Experienced gardeners know that fall is a great season for planting. The dreams of colorful spring gardens begin with the fall planting of bulbs, perennials and shrubs. In the autumn, it’s starting to get cool outside. The cooler temperatures make it much more appealing to be outdoors planting. Plus, your list of garden tasks is probably shorter than in the spring. Best of all, the soil is still warm enough for plant roots to thrive. They will grow and get established until the ground freezes. In addition, fall plant sales are the best. Many garden centers offer deep discounts because they don’t want to overwinter plants. Take advantage of these deals with fall planting. Autumn is a great time to add new plants to your yard and garden that will delight you come spring. “Fall planting gives spring-blooming bulbs and perennials a chance to get established in your garden before winter,” says Greg Niewold, owner of Power Planter. “And when you want new … [Read more...] about Fall Planting for Spring Flowers
Best Cordless Leaf Blowers
The best cordless leaf blowers come in handy when you need to move yard and garden debris. Cordless electric blowers are used primarily for leaves. But they also work great for grass clippings and other small debris. I even use my battery powered blower to blow light snow from my driveway and sidewalk. Cordless electric blowers never need gas. You never have to pull the starter cord a hundred times to get the engine started. All you do is charge the battery and flick a switch. Once you’ve tried a cordless electric blower, you will never go back to gasoline power. At least that’s the way it was for me. There is no shortage of choices when buying a battery powered blower. Most homeowners choose hand-held blowers. These lightweight tools perform well during most backyard cleanup jobs. Many professional groundskeepers prefer backpack blowers that have more powerful motors. Because bigger engines are heavier, it’s easier to carry that extra weight around when it’s strapped to your … [Read more...] about Best Cordless Leaf Blowers
Flowering Plants for Late Summer Garden Color
For some gardeners, adding flowering plants for late summer garden color is what makes or breaks their gardens. Springtime is the season for abundant flowers and colorful gardens. But by mid to late summer, most flowering plants are done blooming. As a result, late summer and early fall gardens can start looking a dull and tired. There’s nothing wrong with a garden dominated by green foliage. But extending the beauty of colorful blooms isn’t difficult. All you have to do is include plants in your garden that bloom later in the season. “Perennials that bloom in late summer and fall bring an added dimension to a garden,” said David Salman, chief horticulturist for HighCountryGardens,com. “These plants are essential for providing late-season nectar for all types of pollinators including bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and moths.” Here are some of the plants that Salman recommends for late summer garden color. Asters for Late Summer Garden Color Many species and … [Read more...] about Flowering Plants for Late Summer Garden Color
Planting Fall Bulbs Brings Colorful Spring Flowers
Autumn is the perfect time for planting fall bulbs for colorful spring flowers. The hottest days of summer have come to an end, and there’s a chill to the air in the evenings. As fall arrives, savvy gardeners know it’s time for planting fall bulbs. Nothing says “spring is here” quite like flowering hyacinths, crocuses, daffodils and tulips bursting into bloom. If you want these beauties in your garden next spring, fall is the time to plant them. 7 reasons why planting fall bulbs should top your garden list During the busy fall season filled with harvesting and raking leaves, it’s easy to forget about planting spring blooming bulbs. But planting fall bulbs should be a must on every gardener’s autumn list. Here’s why: 1. Planting fall bulbs is frugal and easy. Bulbs are very affordable and widely available in fall. You can find a huge variety online and at local nurseries. 2. Spring-flowering bulbs add color when you need it most. Crocuses and hyacinths are among the … [Read more...] about Planting Fall Bulbs Brings Colorful Spring Flowers
