High temperatures, humidity and drought can increase the plant's susceptibility to black spot, anthrax and other diseases. Infected plants spread when it rains, so it is important to remove leaves, twigs and seeds from the surrounding soil. This will prevent difficult-to-control epidemics in the spring.
Steve Lambert, owner of Lambert's Treescape and director of certification for the International Society of Arboriculture, says there are common symptoms that help identify the disease. “Crown rot, sap or sap leakage, or loss of leaves may indicate disease. Also look for black spots, white powder, or unusually curled leaves. Call an ISA certified arborist for advice if trees show signs of severe stress.”
If a growler isn't in your budget, you might suspect that the leaves and branches are unhealthy. If infected, cut off neighboring plants. Throw everything into a resealable bag or straw container. Then wipe down your rake, pot saucer, or substrate with isopropyl alcohol to reduce the spread of spores or bacteria.
Some diseased plants, mostly trees and shrubs, may retain damaged leaves or branches. If you see curled, discolored or brown leaves on a branch, cut the branch. Then burn it carefully or throw it into a garden container for disposal. You don't want to compost diseased material because your compost pile may not be strong enough to kill the spores. Then clean the device again.
If a tree or shrub has gray, leafless branches within a few weeks, those branches usually die. It's a good idea to cut them off. “By removing the dead branches and climbing the branch neck, the tree’s natural wounds can be closed,” explains Lambert. “It can also improve aesthetics, increase light and air flow, and reduce the risk of branch failure.”
A harsh winter Gusts of wind can break weak or dead branches And sometimes this causes them to break and fall from a great height. They can cause serious damage to shrubs or small trees. In the worst case scenario, you can fall into a car or a house.
To expose a dead branch, you can cut off a small piece and examine the wood ring. If it is brown with an invisible green ring, it is probably spoiled. Cut it from the tree, making sure that the neck of the branch can be cut cleanly. If the branch is too high to reach, rent pruning shears.
Removing weeds, especially flowering weeds, prevents diseases in the garden. Peas, hairy bitterfoam and thunderwort can produce seeds in the fall. Additionally, a single dandelion can drop up to 200 seeds per flower, so digging them up can prevent hundreds of new weeds from forming the following spring.
Garden designer Erin Lau suggests focusing on field herbs and catnip. “It’s important to dig up the plant completely so it doesn’t spread seeds in the spring,” he explains. Use a hori hori or spade to loosen the plant from the ground and lift it gently without damaging the roots. If you don't have time to weed, cut off the seed heads wherever you can. Then carefully and quickly place it in a nearby container to avoid spilling the seeds.
Remember that weeds generally won't grow without sunlight. After removing diseased material and weeding, dig up the soil to tame any remaining seeds or diseased buds. Compost or shredded bark work well. You can use the leaves on the ground, but you want to make sure they are disease-free. Regardless of the material, apply a few inches to the growing area to create a natural coating. Do not do this too deeply as this will deprive the roots of much-needed water and oxygen.
Another reason for sowing seeds is to prevent soil from building up around delicate roots. If you're planting a small, hardy vine or young plant this summer, mulch will help protect from the winter cold and conserve soil nutrients. The mulch helps the roots retain moisture, Lambert said. However, he cautions against spreading mulch directly onto the tree trunk. “This retains excess moisture, softens the tissue and increases the risk of disease and parasites.”
If you don't plant the plants you want in the garden, the weeds will plant themselves. So before kudzu, leave the shock and euphorbia behind, plant your bare spots, plants. Take advantage of fall sales and store discounts, then fill in the gaps with plenty.
If you're still not sure what you want on your vacant lot, Lau says you can mow it or cover it with grass. Or you can plant short-term ground cover plants. Vines such as wild thyme, licorice and carpet mats form dense green mats and can be easily replaced if you find an alternative you like.
Speaking of vacant lots, if you have a dog, especially a small puppy, you may end up with a tangled lawn. An active dog easily scratches dry grass during a summer drought, leaving a dusty mess in September.
To prevent this dusty soil from turning into a muddy puddle in winter, sprinkle it generously with grass seed and cover it lightly with peat moss or a thin layer of soil. Fall provides plenty of rain for these seeds to grow. Be sure to cover newly planted areas. Short, inexpensive fences that sink into the ground protect small dogs; larger breeds may require a long, heavy version that hangs from posts.
You can spread seeds onto an existing lawn to help it grow and strengthen. Lau says it's important to remove the leaves from the grass. “Shaking off dead leaves from a lawn or mulch can allow the area to benefit from sunlight and air. Otherwise, the leaves can kill the grass underneath. Additionally, dense, healthy lawns are less susceptible to damage from pets and weeds.
Protect the faucet and drain pipe
A faucet, spigot, or bottle can burst because the water expands as it cools. If your faucet is made of plastic and/or is more than a few years old, protect it from high temperatures with a foam pipe cover. If you live in an area with very harsh winters, you can tie a cloth over the pole before installing the foam cover for extra protection.
Likewise, they should be installed in the garage or in the ground and drain the pipes. Otherwise, prolonged exposure to temperatures below 32 degrees may cause the coating to weaken or crack, which can lead to leaks. Drainage and storage pipes can extend their use for many years.
To empty, simply open the hose and adjust it to the gradient. If you don't want to get wet, submerge slowly and let the water drain out. Typically, to protect the tank, you can get a large coiled pipe and hang it in the garage. In spring you would rather go to the garden than to the hardware store.
Karen Howe is a certified ornamental horticulturist and author of Leave Your Problems Behind. Author of How to Eliminate Stress and Cultivate Happiness with Plants . He also writes for Wired, ShondaLand and Thrive Global .
