Did you know that the fall season is a time for revitalization and growth for your lawn and plants? That means it’s the perfect time to get your yard cleaned up and primed for the upcoming spring and summer seasons here in Oakland County!

Here is a list of 15 tips to help you add color now and prepare for the seasons ahead.

1. Plant mums, sedum, aster, ornamental grasses, cool-weather pansies, and kale in the ground or in pots now. These plants will brighten your fall landscape and do well in the cooler weather.

2. Be sure to fertilize. Many spring and summer blooming plants, like Rhododendron and Hydrangea will need a boost now to ensure the reward of lovely, full blooms later.

3. Divide your overgrown plants to rejuvenate them. Peony bushes, Iris, lilies, daylilies, daisies, etc. can be dug up and split if they’ve gotten too large or seem like they aren’t performing as well. You can leave a portion of the root in the ground and transplant the rest of the root to another spot.

4. Plant trees, flowering shrubs and evergreens now to give them time to establish their root systems. Fall is actually a better time to do this than the spring and summer months.

5. Trim your perennials back when they are done blooming and starting to look a little lackluster to give them more energy for next year.

6. Plant bulbs for spring. You’ll find a plethora of colors in the bulb section. Choose from tulips, daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, alliums, anemones and more. Be sure to plant them in a sunny spot, with the root end pointing down, and add fertilizer.

7. Pull pesky weeds now to reduce the amount you’ll have popping up in the spring.

8. Add a one inch layer of mulch around trees, shrubs and in flower beds to give protection during the winter months.

9. Add compost to your garden soil to improve the fertility and health of the soil.

10. Dig up your delicate bulbs, like Dahlias, and store them for next year.

11. Aerate your lawn to improve oxygen levels in the soil and help establish your root system.

12. Add seed to bare spots or your whole lawn to add growth for the spring.

13. Mulch leaves to give your lawn added nutrients and a richer soil, while recycling a natural resource.

14. Fertilize your lawn one last time before the winter months.

15. One last thing, don’t forget to turn your hoses off in preparation for the winter!

Happy Fall Gardening in Oakland County!