Fall is absolutely the most important time to fertilize your lawn. Fertilizing with Ferti-lome Winterizer in late fall will build a strong root system that can withstand the hazards of winter. The slow release formulation promotes a thicker lawn with minimal top growth, while your lawn stores valuable nutrients for next spring.

Keep watering your lawn

If your lawn is dry, drag out the hose for an occasional watering.  You can water less often in cool temperatures. 

Though the lawn needs less frequent mowing, it's a good idea to mow over the fallen leaves, gathering them into the mower collection bag. This chops them into smaller pieces so when you add them to the compost pile, they will break down quickly. Plus, it's an easy way to tidy up the lawn.   

Bare soil, where annual flowers and vegetables were removed, will benefit from compost. The organic material improves soil structure and helps replace nutrients. Turn the organic amendments into the soil to a depth of 4 inches or more.    

On your porch and patio  

Protect your furniture and grill. Slip-on covers will protect them during the winter.   

Container Gardening

Empty any clay, concrete, or ceramic planters.  Soil left in fragile containers will have moisture in it the will freeze and expand, which may cause the container to crack.  Make sure any container left outside over winter will not trap water.  If you can't store them in a protected place, turn them upside down or cover them so water can't collect in them.       

Winterizing roses

It is still too early to put your roses to bed for the winter.  They are not yet dormant.  Wait a few more weeks, until it is colder.  Mulching them for winter too early will trap the warmth in the soil and keep them from going dormant, which promotes winter damage and die back.