By Kevin Warhurst, Manager
As we close out the dog days of summer and begin to say goodbye to the heat and humidity that has blanketed our region these past few months, most gardeners are no doubt looking forward to the fall season ahead.
I know I am. In fact, fall is my favorite time of year. With its cooler temperatures and optimum growing conditions, fall is an ideal time to plant most everything in the landscape. And it’s a great time to be outside in the garden.
Oh yeah, and it’s football season too, which I also love! For me, there’s nothing better than working in the garden and then sitting down to watch my favorite team play ball.
At Merrifield Garden Center, we’re getting a lot of lawn questions right now. It’s no secret that our hot and humid summers can really take their toll on our mid-Atlantic gardens. Many lawns are severely heat stressed with brown patches and plenty of unsightly weeds. And I’ve seen lots of summer annuals that are exhausted from the heat and are ready for a replacement.
Don’t worry - we’ve got you covered!
We have the plants, the products and the expertise to get your lawn and garden back in shape. No need for training camp - here are five simple suggestions for a beautiful landscape this fall:
1. Mow your lawn and rake out any thatch or dead grass areas that have suffered during the summer heat wave. Then seed and fertilize with Merrifield’s custom blended lawn care products, which have been specially formulated for our area. Within weeks, you will see a big difference in your lawn as the new seed germinates and fills in and the fertilizer greens everything up nicely! Even better results over time. Just like a nice football field you see on TV.
2. Replace tired, faded summer annuals with pansies and chrysanthemums for beautiful fall color. They both come in a wide range of colors and are great for garden beds or container gardens. And while you’re at it, plant some Japanese Anemone, Sedum Autumn Joy and Helianthus for gorgeous color that will come back year after year.
3. Plant trees and shrubs that provide great fall color and year-round interest in the garden. Trees and shrubs form the foundation of the garden. Some suggestions include Burning Bush, Witchhazel, Fothergilla, Fall Blooming Camellias, Crape Myrtle, Maple and Black Gum.
4. Edge garden beds and add a fresh layer of mulch. This will not only give your landscape a fresh, clean look, but it will also conserve moisture and keep weeds down this fall. And while you’re at it, go ahead and plant some spring-blooming fall bulbs. Funny way to say it, but that’s the way it works. Plant now and you’ll get an early burst of beautiful color next spring! OK, think baseball season!
5. Enhance your outdoor living space with a patio, fountain, fireplace or outdoor kitchen. Fall is one of the best times of year to spend time outside with family and friends. For ideas and inspiration, pick up our free, 112 page Landscape Portfolio booklet. If you’re looking to add a landscape feature this fall, we can act quickly and install your landscape right away so that you can enjoy it this season.
Now that was easy! And the game hasn’t even started yet.
So stop into Merrifield Garden Center and let us show you how to make the most of the fall season. We have everything you need to get your lawn and garden into shape! And if you don’t have time to do these things yourself, we can take care of it all for you. Just give us a call at 703-560-6222.
Thanks for reading my blog. Gotta go – it’s time for kickoff.