The rains are here and the leaves are falling. It’s time for some fall garden chores.

Whether it be moving plants or adding some plants, fall is the best time to do such tasks.

Did you take some notes of some tree’s fall color you would like to add to your own yard?

It’s always a good idea to do some research about how big a plant gets before adding one to the garden.

On that note, did a plant outgrow its boundary?

It’s time to get out that shovel, wheelbarrow and some muscle and move it.

Please, don’t just dig. Understand how the plant grows first.

For example, if I were to move a tree I would measure the trunk and for every inch dig a foot of root ball.

And if I were to move a shrub I would dig a good amount of roots along with it.

I just started moving some Rhododendrons with good success.

If a shrub is too big, you may cut it back a third then move it.

But you may not get blooms the first couple of years.

Another neat thing is plant propagation.

This happens at the base of the plant where a limb touches the ground and begins to root.

Cut it away from the parent plant and bam a new plant.

What fun for a gloomy day?

If you would like to make more of the plant try some propagation. Take a limb and bend it towards the ground and put some weight on it and by the next fall it should begin to root.

For any questions on any plants feel free to email me at besthands@aol.com.

Now it is time to winterize your sprinkler system if you have one.

If not, begin to put those hoses away and cover your water bibs or, at best, get ready to do that soon.

Give the lawn a mow, short as possible, and then continue to lightly dust some compost on the lawn.

If it is too heavy with moss, rake it first then compost.

Feeding the soil is important for the health of the soil.

Until next time,

Happy gardening!