Newsletter

Welcome to the ProGrass information center! My name is Steve Varga and each month I will be providing you with updated seasonal information on landscape care. Please check back regularly for current information that will help you have a better landscape and get the most out of your ProGrass services. Also be sure to check my care tip sheets and if you have any questions please click on my question and answer icon.

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October 2005

The summer sure went by fast! Now that Fall is here, leaves will soon be changing color and dropping. I love the fall because the air is cool, but we still have sunny days to enjoy.
Most plants in the landscape are pretty close to being dormant, so growth and flowering are just about done for the year. Very little growth occurs between now and Spring. Now is the time to put your landscape to bed for a long winter's nap.
The care you give your landscape in October determines its quality next Spring. Whether you do it yourself or use ProGrass' horticultural service department, make sure to complete these things:
Prune trees, shrubs and ground covers. Clean up all of your beds. Mulch and bark dust landscape beds Winterize your sprinkler system.

Pruning

Pruning is the number one thing to take care of before winter. Properly pruned plants not only look better; they are healthier and live longer. But remember-there is a difference between pruning and cutting.
Pruning requires careful consideration of which limbs and twigs to remove. Each limb and twig has a purpose in the plant's system and only a specific number should be cut.
	The pruning process requires skillful training and proper equipment. Pruning is an art as well as a plant science. I recommend that all landscapes be professionally pruned at least once per year. In between, you must remove loose or hanging limbs, tip long sprouts, shear and remove old flowers and suckers and trim ground cover.
	You can learn how to do these things by studying pruning books or checking the ProGrass web page for current and future pruning technical bulletins. Or, if you'd like a more manicured landscape, two to three professional pruning visits by ProGrass would be in order.

Landscape Cleanup

Keeping your landscape tidy is critical for controlling insects and diseases in your plants. Remove all fallen debris such as leaves, branches, flowers and fruit as soon as possible. If these are not removed, you will create a perfect home for overwintering insects and disease spores.

Mulch

You can apply mulch to beds almost anytime. However, Fall is my favorite time to do so because Winter rain settles the loose particles and reduces air born bark particles. Also, a fresh layer of bark dust reduces mud splashing and weed growth, controls erosion and protects root systems.

Winterizing Sprinkler Systems

If you have a sprinkler system, it is crucial to winterize it. That means draining all of the water from the system before the first freeze. It only takes one cold spell to crack sprinkler heads, valves or pipes. This results in costly repairs next spring. Newer sprinkler systems use sealed heads that cause a vacuum, preventing draining the line. You must use compressed air to blow out these systems.

Don't forget ProGrass can help you with all these fall services!

If you have any other questions, check my technical bulletins or contact ProGrass for more information at 1.800.PROGRASS or customerservice@prograss.com.