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Fall is a wonderful time of transition. The days are shortening and the nights are cool. This in turn seems to trigger an urge in us gardeners to start preparing our landscapes for the winter. Cleaning things up is good, but don't rush into it. When we cut and prune plants too early, we actually stress the plants. It causes plants to put out a new flush of growth, when they should be starting to harden off. Early fall: late August and September This is a great time to begin certain chores. It is a great time to edge any of your beds that need it. This is also a wonderful time to spread compost on your beds to help build up your soil. ■ Divide existing perennials. Remem- ber the rule of thumb for dividing perenni- als. Divide plants that bloom in the spring in the fall; divide plants that bloom in the fall in the spring; divide plants that bloom in the summer either time. Which brings me to another point: This is an excellent time to plant more trees, shrubs and perennials. Also, this is the time to dig out any tender bulbs that you may have planted, like cannas, gladiolas and dahlias. ■ Rake and compost leaves as they fall. Don't allow whole leaves to build up in your beds, as they can help harbor insects, rodents and diseases. Mid-fall: October and mid-November This period arrives after we have had a couple of hard frosts. Every year is different. ■ Start cutting back some of your perennials. Those that die back after the frosts can be cut back, but those that still look healthy should be left alone. Let the plant tell when it's time to be cut back. This goes for herbaceous perennials only; woody perennials (butterfly bush, caryopteris, Russian sage, etc.) should be left alone until spring. ■ Give your lawn a shot of fertilizer in preparation for a strong spring start. Also don't let your grass go through winter really long; this just causes problems. It's also not a good idea to cut it really short either. ■ Add spring flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils to your beds. You can also fertilize your existing bulbs now for spring. Late fall and early winter: mid-November to early December This is the time to finish things up. This is also the time to mulch any tender perennials if needed. A word about roses You may have noticed I haven't talked much about roses here; there's a reason for that. Roses should never be pruned in the fall; prune them in early spring. Also, mound soil around the base of any grafted roses at this time. I just want to add a few words about win- ter and early spring, mid-December to early March. This is the time you want to be prun- ing your trees and shrubs or at least those shrubs that don't have special pruning times like lilacs and forsythias (these need to be pruned right after flowering). By doing things properly our landscapes will reward us. Happy gardening! (Michael Timm is a horticulturalist with Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia.) HOMES PLUS SEPTEMBER 2016 2 Putting your landscape to bed in fall MICHAEL TIMM REMODEL • REPLACE • RETHINK REMODEL. REPLACE. RETHINK your windows. Bliffert Lumber offers quality products from Marvin ® . Call or visit us today to learn more. Marvin Windows and Doors, Warroad, MN 56763 ©2011 Marvin Windows and Doors. All rights reserved. ® Registered trademark of Marvin Windows and Doors 248420006 548 W. Sunset Dr. Waukesha, WI 53189 (262) 542-6666 www.bliffertlumber.com Distributed by: ©2016 by Conley Media Waukesha County Homes Plus is published monthly by Conley Media - Waukesha County, 801 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53186. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. A publication of Conley Media Sales Director: Jim Baumgart 262/513-2621 jbaumgart@conleynet.com Editor: Dan Muckelbauer 262/513-2626 dmuck@conleynet.com Production: Patricia Scheel 262/513-2690 pscheel@conleynet.com Homes Plus Volume 5 ■ Number 9 ■ September 2016 Mike Timm The colors of fall signal it's time to get to work.

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