r

little if any extra phosphorus, accord-
ing to turf experts, and some lakeside
communities prohibit the use of phos-
phorus in lawn fertilizers, Hair adds.
"Homeowners can re-seed bare
spots through about the third week
in September. Keep the newly seeded
area moistened until the grass gets
established, which can mean sprin-
kling with water once or twice every
single day if there is no rain. Mow
after the new grass is three inches tall:'
she says.
Fall is a "good time to core aerate
a process where cores or tube-shaped
sections of lawn and thatch are cut
and left on the surface to decompose.
"Core aeration is especially recom-
mended for lawns that get a lot of foot
traffic or are otherwise compacted.
Water the lawn first, or time this to do
so right after a rain so the soil is soft;'
Hair says.
Fall planting is "absolutely fantastic"
for a lot of trees and shrubs, Wilson
says. "That's when the roots develop."
She cautions that "anytime you put
in new plants it is stressful for the
plants:'
Even though fallen leaves have left
trees barren in late fall, the trees' roots
continue to grow and can be fertil-
ized from late September through
the first of November, Wilson adds. A
good time to plant pine, spruce, furs
and evergreens is in late August until
mid-October. Trees going dry should
be watered.

Avoid planting the more tender trees
and shrubs in the fall, such as rho-
dodendrons and Japanese pieris that
are marginally hardy in Michigan's
climate. Other plants do best when
planted in the spring, notably flower-
ing dogwood, magnolias and nut trees.
"The beautiful bulbs of spring are
planted in the fall;' Wilson says. "Plant
tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus
to ensure spring colors!'
Bulbs need cool weather to help
stimulate flower development in time
for spring. Root growth continues into
the first of January before the ground
freezes.
Remember to plant at proper depth,
Wilson says, because if the roots go
down too deep they don't get the
required oxygen for growth and devel-
opment.
"People who buy plants on sale
should check the root systems. First
look at the mass of roots and then take
your fingers and fashion the roots into
a normal root system – circling roots
are not good as they could choke the
plants. Make them grow outward, away
from the plant's center;' she adds.
Garden clean up requires eliminat-
ing weeds, removing spent annuals
killed by frost and dividing perenni-
als, Wilson says. Old fashioned plants,
such as peonies and irises, may be in a
big clump so they are best divided and
split in late August or early September.
"September is also a good time to
dig up tender bulbs that were planted
in May, such as gladiolas, dahlia and
cannas," Wilson says. "Lift them up,
clean off their roots, shake the soil
off and then put them in a cardboard
box with peat moss and store them in
a cool, dry place for replanting in the
spring."
She says it's a good idea to add
garden markers where perennials
have died to avoid planting over them
before they bounce back in the spring.
For more information, gardeners
can call the Michigan State University
Extension Oakland County plant and
pest hotline, (248) 858-0902.
The extension service can test soil
samples for $12. Fall is a good time to
get soil samples as the lab isn't as busy
as it would be in the spring, Wilson
says.
Hair says Michigan State University
has a good turf Web site — turf.msu.
edu — that provides tips for
homeowners. ❑

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