Fall is a great season to prep your trees and shrubs for the upcoming spring season. During the Fall and Winter months we like to focus on tree and shrub planting, fertilizing, soil systemics, and horticultural oils. Let’s look at each service closer:

PLANTING:

Fall Is a great time to plant trees and shrubs. Because of increasing rain during the fall and cooling temperatures newly planted trees have a greater chance of surviving for next spring. It is important to plant your trees with the root flare being exposed. This is where the main roots meet the stem, we want this area to be nice and dry. After planting, we recommend that a layer of organic material or mulch be put around the tree. Preferably out to the dripline if possible and keeping mulch away from the stem of the tree.

FERTILIZER:

Fall, winter and early spring are the best times to fertilize. Making sure the trees have the nutrients they need before their big spring growth.  The most important part of the soil care program is soil samples. We recommend that a soil sample be taken in order to determine the soil PH and if any other micro nutrients are needed for the plant. Signs of a nutrient deficiency are yellowing between the veins of the leaves this is called chlorosis.

SOIL SYSTEMICS:

Soil systemics are products that the plant absorbs through the root system and is then translocated in to the leaves. Soil systemics are applied in the fall or winter to help plants defend against pest for the following spring.  Theses products work best on piercing sucking insects such as aphids, whiteflies and lace bugs. If you had a problem with aphids on your crepe myrtle this spring it is important that a soil systemic be applied in fall so you will not have aphids next spring.

HORTICULTURAL OIL:

Horticultural oils provide a great barrier against winter pests they are applied during the winter months and help suppress overwintering eggs and insects. Oils can suppress up to 67% of insect outbreaks for the following spring. They are applied to the under sides of the leaves and help control piercing sucking insects such as whiteflies, lace bug but are most effective on scale insects.

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Photo by Lukas from Pexels