Because the summer is coming to an end the days are getting shorter and the weather is getting colder. This means you don’t have much time to wrap up your yard work. But there is still time to take advantage of these quick tips that will help to make your yard and garden last as long as possible. Who says your garden can’t be beautiful until the day before the snow falls? Put in a little extra yard work and your landscape will not only look great, but it will also become a low maintenance task next spring.

Seed and Fertilize

There are many types of seed and fertilizer available. It is important to pick the right product for your grass type and location. Check with your local garden center. Here they will be able to assist you in your purchase decision with just a few questions like: “What type of lawn do you have?” Or, “How much area needs to be covered?” With the right recommendations your lawn will continue to grow strong through late fall.

Eliminate What’s Not Growing

Take a little bit of time to get rid of the dead wood and weeds around your lawn. Once the dead is gone your strong and hearty plants will be able to take in all of the nutrients and water that was previously being consumed by the dead plants, shrubs and dry wood. Be certain to completely get rid of dead plants and wood. If you’re merely cutting these plants, or pruning them, you will actually be promoting growth.

Transplant

If you have trees and bushes that need to be transplanted, late summer is the time to do it. If you transplant too early then your trees and bushes won’t be able to thrive during best weather of the year.  If you transplant too late, your plants might struggle to grow strong roots during the upcoming harsh weather conditions. When digging up trees or bushes, make sure you dig up as much of the root growth as possible. After you dig up the root growth be sure to replant it in a deep space, leaving even more room for the plant to grow.

Mulch Everywhere You Can

Fresh mulch is a great way to protect your plants and trees from the frigid winter weather. There are a lot of choices for mulching. Most of these choices are decomposable and act as a safety barrier for your hearty perennials. By properly mulching your garden you will ensure the return of your favorite plants in the spring.

Remember to prepare your garden for the winter before it’s too late. By taking the proper precautions now you will not only have a lovely garden until the day it snows, but you will also have less work to do in the spring.

This article was written by Samantha Lunzer who works with Green Stuff Outdoor Services, a Minneapolis Lawn Care service company.