Home & Garden Tips from Northampton Nursery

Tips from the Pros
Give Some Thought to Protecting Your Shrubs
October is a good time to think about your shrubs. They provide variety and color to your yard, and you want to keep them safe through the winter. Evergreens such as hollies, boxwoods and yews will benefit from fertilizing at this time, as will deciduous trees like maples, oaks and ash. For good results, use a slow-release tree and shrub food that includes nitrogen, sulfate of potash, iron and other micro-nutrients. Do not fertilize or prune flowering shrubs now, however. Fertilizing promotes growth, and right now you want to harden off the growth you already have on flowering species. The reason not to prune is that flowering shrubs have already set their buds for next year's blooms. If you cut them off, you'll have fewer flowers come spring. If you're looking to change up your landscape, October is a good month to move plants. Evergreens can be transplanted now, while deciduous species react best if you wait until they lose their leaves and are dormant. If you have disease-infected plants, prune out infected branches in late fall or winter when the disease organism is inactive. Remove any infected debris from around the plant's base and dispose of it offsite. Finally, if you have shrubs or hedges near streets, you may want to put up a protective barrier to keep them from being burned or killed by winter road salt.

Amelanchier Autumn Brilliance
Crape Myrtle

Amelanchier, also known as serviceberry, shadbush or wild pear, is a small shade tree that can add appeal to your yard three seasons of the year. The Autumn Brilliance variety is especially satisfying, with showy white flowers in spring, edible summer fruit that tastes like blueberries and brilliant red fall foliage. Attractive as either a single- or multi-stem planting, Autumn Brilliance will grow 15 to 30 feet high, and spread a comparable width. It likes full sun to partial shade, medium moisture and well drained soil. It will attract birds with its berries and requires little maintenance beyond pruning. Amelanchier can be found all over North America, with at least one native species in every U.S. state (except Hawaii), and in every province in Canada. It got the nickname "shadbush" because its flowers appear in early spring - "when the shad run," according to tradition.

It's Time To...
Plant Those Beautiful Spring Bulbs
Spring bulbs need time to establish their roots, so most should be in the ground by the early part of this month. Tulips are the exception; they may be planted until early November.

Remember to add bone meal or bulb fertilizer to the planting hole as you prepare the soil, for best results.
On the other end of the growing cycle, gladiolas, dahlias and other summer bulbs should be dug before the ground freezes, and stored in a cool, dark area.
It's time to transplant peonies or divide them if you wish to multiply your plants.
To expand other perennials, scatter the seeds in a row or in open beds this month so that the young seedlings will be ready to be transplanted into new spots next spring.
You can also save seeds from favorite self-pollinating, non-hybrid flowers such as marigolds by allowing the flower heads to mature. Lay seeds on newspaper and turn them often to dry. Store the dry seeds in glass jars or envelopes in a cool, dry, dark place.
If you like herbs, pot up chives, parsley and other favorites to extend the growing season in the house.
To keep your lawn healthy, mow as long as it grows. And if you mow your lawn shorter for the final cut of the season, it will retain better color through the winter.