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Still
Time To Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs This Fall
Rosie
Lerner, Purdue Consumer Horticulture Specialist
 There's
still time to get those spring-flowering bulbs in the ground yet
this fall. Though generally it is recommended to get the bulbs planted
by early October to give them enough time to root before winter,
it is better to plant now rather than try to store the bulbs over
winter. As long as the soil temperatures are above 40° F.,
the bulbs should continue their root development.
Most garden centers still
have a supply of crocus, daffodils, tulips, and other spring-flowering
bulbs. While the best quality bulbs may already be gone, you can
often find good bargains on what's left at the end of the season.
Select large, firm bulbs and avoid those that are sprouting or molding.
Full
Story, http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/fallbulbs.html
Just Mulch Those Tree
Leaves!
Zac Reicher, Assistant Professor/Turfgrass Extension Specialist
The trees are starting
to drop their leaves, and it is important to prevent a heavy layer
of leaves from building up on your lawn before winter. Heavy layers
of tree leaves will shade the grass, and can smother and kill grass
yet this fall. Plus, tree leaf-cover favors a damaging winter turf
disease called snow mold. The easiest way to dispose of leaves is
to simply mow them into the turf. Regular mowing during the fall
will chop the leaves into small pieces and allow them to filter
into the turf.
Our research at Purdue
and other universities shows that tree leaves can be mulched without
causing any detrimental effects to the soil or turf. Actually, just
the opposite may be true: tree-leaf mulching may help improve the
soil. Mulching leaves with a mower is much easier than raking, blowing,
and/or vacuuming the leaves. Plus, it disposes of the leaves without
filling up our landfills and saves our cities thousands of dollars
in disposal costs.
Other
Lawn Information, http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/tips/index.html
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