What to Expect in Fall

 
Fall is a truly stunning time in gardens with foliage authentic to Los Angeles. Native foliage has its greatest growth spurt when the heat of summer dies back, blooms will be bountiful, and it is also the best time to plant.

California is seeing unprecedented fire dangers in 2021. If areas near you receive an evacuation alert, take immediate action to protect your home from flying embers. In an ongoing way, fight fire with maintenance, and be aware of the strategic firewise actions you can take to protect yourself and LA. Most importantly, please protect your life before your property – LA needs you here and well!
 

September

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In fall, we harvest many of the benefits of native gardens. No chemical fertilizers or pesticides are needed to prepare for winter. Instead, in September, we:

Feed You and Your Home:

  • Harvest fresh herbs and veggies from home gardens for fantastic fall meals
  • Bring in bouquets of fall blooming cut flowers and colorful foliage

Keep It Pretty:

  • Identify garden areas to fill-in with fall planting
  • Evaluate fall and winter tree pruning needs
  • Prune California natives that have completed their cycle of growth for the year, allowing them to rejuvenate

Watch Your Water:

  • Set irrigation systems to water less often and more deeply to establish tolerance to drought conditions
  • Eliminate run-off, overspray and leaks

 
 

October

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Autumn is the best time to plant, establish, and enjoy native gardens and the season of the Theodore Payne Foundation Fall Sale. It is also important to take these maintenance steps.

Keep Thriving Gardens Structured:

  • Prune conifers and other deciduous trees
  • Deep-feed citrus trees
  • Structure natives for December growth spurts
  • Divide native grasses
  • Plant native fill ins

Protect Homes, Maintain Outdoor Water Systems:

  • Turn down irrigation controllers
  • Adjust irrigation and lighting timers November 1
  • Change controller, valve and sensor batteries
  • Install and test rain sensors
  • Clean gutters and checking water ways

Protect Health and Make Next Summer More Pleasant:

  • Hunt invasive mosquito eggs along dried waterlines
  • Scrub-out and dispose of eggs
  • Close rainbarrel taps and secure their screans

 
 

November

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Years of drought have swept the slides of the last El Nino from our minds. Well, it’s time to remember! FEMA encourages Californians prepare for flooding this year, particularly in areas impacted by fire. Join us in the following.

Prepare for High Rainfall:

  • Evaluate the health of slope saving plants
  • Clean gutters and checking waterways
  • Reduce irrigation further, and modify timers
  • Run through our full Disaster Prevention Checklist

Bring Beauty Home:

  • Deliver fresh herbs and wildflower seeds to client doorsteps
  • Harvest winter veggies, like fennel, parsnips, and sweet potatoes
  • Prepare you to host Thanksgiving outdoors

Cut Back Natives, Feed Fruits:

  • Divide grasses for rejuvenation
  • Continue to cut back established natives
  • Deep-feed citrus trees
  • Provide bareroot fruits and roses
  • Plant, mulch, plant and mulch

 
 
What to Expect in Winter