Master gardeners dispel myths and give tips on gardening in autumn

WINCHESTER, Va. (WHSV) – Fall is upon us, which means new surroundings for most gardeners. Virginia Cooperative Extension offers garden care tips.

Joanne Royaltey is a Consumer Horticulture and Invasive Species Program associate with Virginia Cooperative Extension and a member of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners. She said gardening is a way to connect with the environment and doesn’t require any special expertise.

Royaltey said fall can be one of the best seasons for landscaping and pollinators. She also stressed the importance of using “home remedies” when gardening and the impact they can have on the environment.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a holistic, organic approach to pest control. Royaltey says gardeners should take a more holistic approach to caring for their plants and only use chemical pesticides as a last resort.

“Your impact extends beyond your fence [and] beyond your neighbor’s fence. What you do in your yard can affect your neighbor’s yard,” Royaltey said.

You can find more information about IPM here.

Virginia Cooperative Extensions’ September gardening tips include:

• Apply herbicides to your lawn to control annual or perennial weeds that germinate in the fall or form rosettes in the lawn. Before using, check herbicide labels and select the appropriate product for the type of weed and lawn type in your yard.
• Early fall is the best time of year to sow grass seed. Grass sown in spring often dies due to hot, dry summer weather. For more vigorous growth, spread a very thin mulch layer of clean straw over freshly seeded areas.
• Allow the plants to finish the summer growth cycle normally. Never encourage growth at this time by over-fertilizing or over-pruning, as the plants will quickly retard their hardening process, which has already begun in anticipation of winter in a few months. New growth can easily be damaged by an early frost.
• Weed control around fruit trees in the fall is extremely important. Be sure to dig the soil as the days get cooler to kill any larvae that invade the soil.

You can find further tips here under the September tab.

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