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Much
Ado about Leaves
Rosie Lerner, Purdue Consumer Horticulture Specialist
 Ah,
the beauty of Mother Nature's palette coming to life in the fall
color of our forest and landscape plants. For some, this marvel
is overshadowed by the chores of raking and disposing of fall leaves.
What's needed here is
an attitude adjustment! Autumn leaves don't have to become trash.
On the contrary, they easily can be turned into valuable soil-enhancing
organic matter. For many urban dwellers, who already have their
yard waste picked up by the city, this service is likely to continue.
Many communities compost
their leaves and make the finished compost available to their citizens.
Compost improves soil aeration, moisture retention and drainage,
and nutrient-holding
capabilities.
For those who do not
have the luxury of yard waste pick up, there are several ways to
manage tree leaves at home. Green-thumbed gardeners long have known
the value of recycling plant material. Dry leaves can be plowed
or tilled under in the vegetable or annual flower bed in fall to
provide a source of organic matter. Shredding the leaves first will
speed the breakdown so that the leaves will not be visible by spring.
Be sure to mix the leaves into the soil, rather than leaving them
on top through the winter, to avoid keeping the soil too cold and
wet to work in the spring.
Full
Story, http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/leaves.html
Fall Ideal for Planting Trees
B. Rosie Lerner, Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist
Because spring is the
time for new growth, most people think of planting trees and shrubs
then. But cool temperatures and adequate rainfall make fall a good
time to plant as well. The soil may be warmer and less damp than
in the spring, and you may have more time to get the job done in
fall.
Fall-planted stock does
demand extra attention. Plants may not have enough time to establish
a good root system before winter hits. Cold winter winds and sunshine
cause plants to lose water from their branches, and the roots must
be able to replace that water if plants are to survive. Evergreens,
particularly
broad-leaved evergreens, are more susceptible to winter desiccation
because their leaves have more surface from which to lose water
than narrow-leaved
evergreens and bare trees.
Select balled-and-burlapped
or container-grown plants rather than bare-rooted stock. Bare-root
plants should only be planted in late winter or early spring while
the plants are still dormant.
Full
Story, http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/falltreeplanting.html
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