What is wrong with my pine tree? It is turning yellow and the needles are dropping off.
What you are seeing is the natural shedding of the oldest needles, which occurs in the fall. This may be more noticable in pines that have experienced root stress due to less than optimal growing conditions. Extended dry periods during the summer months, as well as sites with heavy clay soils may accentuate root stress to pines. Since the newest needles are still green and healthy in appearance, you can be assured this yellowing and needle drop is a natural one. This also occurs in arborvitae.
Can I just leave the fallen leaves on my perennial garden to act as mulch over the winter?
Leaves, as they fall off the trees, form a mat on your flower beds and should be removed. It is hard for air and water to penetrate this layer and get to the soil, which could cause your plants to not benefit from the winter moisture, causing winter damage or die back. Rake or blow the leaves out of the bed onto the grass. Mow over them with your mulching mower. Mow over again, this time collecting the leaves and grass clippings in your bag. This makes a wonderful mulch for your beds. Cut back your perennials in the fall prior to mulching.
What should I do to my garden area this fall?
Remove all the dead vegetable plants. Be sure to remove all the foliage. Diseases and pests overwinter on the foliage left in the soil. Plants that are free of diseases and insects can be composted, otherwise put them in the trash. Fall is the best time to add organic material to your garden. Soil rich in organic matter is the best and easiest way to have a great garden. I suggest adding compost, manure, finely ground leaves and grass clippings, etc. and tilling them in before late fall and winter. A light tilling in the spring and you're ready to grow.
Can I prune my roses now?
Roses should be pruned in the spring. Anytime you prune roses you stimulate their growth. This time of year we want roses to start going dormant. Roses that are dormant can withstand our harsh winters.
Is it okay to winterize my roses now?
No, it is too early. Many roses are still blooming and far from dormant. Winterizing hybrid tea and Grandiflora roses consists of mulching around the base of the bush up to about 12 -17" on the stems with soil, compost, leaves, etc. This protects the crown from freezing and it also keeps the soil at a uniformed temperature. During the winter the sun warms the soil during the day and at nite the soil freezes. This fluctuation of soil temperature is bad for roses. By winterizing them now, you would trap the warmth in the soil. This will keep the rose from going dormant and make it more vulnerable to winter damage.
How do I care for Easy Elegance Roses I planted this year?
Easy Elegance Roses are a very hardy, easy to grow shrub rose. They do not require the same care as hybrid tea or Grandiflora roses. You can treat them like a shrub. Make sure they have plenty of water late into the fall, up until the snow is flying and the ground is freezing.
