As we transition from summer to fall, your gardening transitions too. Garden chores include raking and clean up, pruning, thorough watering and for many plants, a final application of fertilizer. Here are some tips for keeping your garden healthy in the coming seasons.

WATER. Continue to water plants deeply to encourage deep, healthy root systems, and keep plants robust and strong to withstand stressful winter conditions. Consider adding one of these convenient Irrigation Systems

CLEAN UP. Keep deadheading, to keep flowering plants blooming into the fall. Prune away diseased or dead plant tissue on trees, shrubs and perennials, and throw it away. Never compost any material that may carry diseases into next season. Rake away debris on the ground, and again, only compost healthy yard waste.

FERTILIZING. Trees, shrubs, lawns and perennials should have one last shot of fertilizer at the end of the growing season.

PEST CONTROL. Inspect plants for any infestations or damage and treat with an insecticide or fungicide immediately.

Choosing a Bird Feeder

Studies show that Bird Watching is America's number 2 hobby, topped only by gardening. The US Fish and Wildlife service says that 51.3million Americans consider themselves bird watchers!

If you count yourself among them, or would like to, here are some tips for choosing your feeder.

• Make sure it is sturdy. Your feeders need to withstand whatever Mother Nature dishes up, so all materials need to be weather resistant.
• Get a feeder large enough so you won't have to constantly refill it.
• Choose one that will keep seed dry, so it doesn't rot inside the feeder.
• It should be easy to clean. A clean feeder is important for the health of your bird visitors. A plastic or metal feeder will probably be easier to keep clean than a wooden one.
• Consider feeding ports with metal re-enforcement to keep squirrels from chewing the feeder.

Those are the basics. There is an almost bewildering selection of feeders to choose from, but these guidelines, and your budget, will help you make the best choice for your yard. The other thing to consider is, what specific types of birds you want to see. Next time, we'll talk about which feeders attract which species.

Try a New Bird Feeder

The Best Garden Tool EVER!

First let me say that I have 16 mature Oak trees in my back yard, with another 1/2 dozen assorted hardwood varieties. I do a LOT of raking in the fall, winter, and spring. Last fall, I got an EZ Leaf Hauler and it is without a doubt the best thing to happen to raking since the invention of, well, the rake. It really does hold about 4-5 times what a flat tarp would, and it lays flat so it's easy to rake on to. Instead of trying to gather the corners of a full tarp, and keep leaves from "leaking" as I go, I just grab a handle and pull. The walls of the EZ Leaf Hauler keep everything contained, across the yard, through the dry creek bed and up the hill until I dump it.

Not only is it great for leaves, I also use it when I'm pruning. Branches, twigs, leaves all get dumped in the EZ Leaf Hauler. I can drag it around as I go, and when it's full, grab a handle, haul and dump.

It folds up to store, but keep it handy, you'll find lots of reasons to use it. Check out the EZ Leaf Hauler for yourself.

Repelling Snakes Safely

A concerned pet owner writes: I would like to use this product (snake repellent) but will it be safe for my pet who's always in the back yard playing it really sounds like what i really need please help thank you.

This is a very common question. Many of you want to repel snakes, but need to know that you will not cause harm to your pets or children.

Snake repellents have different active ingredients, but they all work in the same way. The strong odor of the repellent interferes with the snake's sensory organ. It becomes confused and disoriented, which causes distress and it will leave the area.

Fortunately, these active ingredients don't have to be toxic, harsh, or even smell bad. One snake repellent I recommend often is Liquid Fence. The active ingredients are all natural ingredients that will not harm people or pets. By spraying a wide stripe of Liquid Fence around the perimeter of the area you want to protect, you'll keep snakes from entering. When they encounter the strong aroma, they will turn around and leave. You can apply this around trees, shrubbery, woodpiles, foundations, or the perimeter of your whole house or yard.



So if you have a snake problem, you don't have to compromise on protection. Natural repellents will do a great job at keeping snakes out, without any risk to your family, pets, or other wild life.

Planting Fall Bulbs for Spring Color

It's time to start thinking about spring in the garden. Bulbs planted now will be a welcome splash of color as winter finally comes to an end, but you have to prepare now to enjoy that treat.

What to Plant:
Thumbing through catalogs or browsing store shelves can present a mind-boggling array of choices, but don't overthink it. Just keep a couple of things in mind.

• Bloom time: Choose some early bloomers, some mid-season and some late spring bloomers for flowers week after week.
• Mix it up. A variety of types and colors really makes your garden bed pop, whether it is a formal arrangement, or a more naturalized look.
  
• Don't skimp. Bulbs look best when planted in masses, rather than ones and twos. So if you're planting a small area, limit your selection and buy enough of each to create a full look.

How to Plant:
Go ahead and plant your bulbs when you get them. That gives them time to develop roots before the ground gets too cold.

You can either make a hole for each bulb, with a bulb planter, or use a spade and dig up the whole area, place the bulbs, and then fill back in. Excavating the entire area makes it easy to loosen and amend the base before adding and covering the bulbs.

Refer to the packaging for instructions on how deep to plant your bulbs.

Where to Plant:
Sun to partial shade is best. Keep in mind that areas that are shaded now may have plenty of sun in the spring before trees leaf out.

I certainly want to savor every remaining moment of summer warmth, but I know many of you are looking toward one of the great pleasures of fall - a wood fire. So here are a few tips for storing firewood.
First, know what you're getting. A cord of wood is 4 feet high, 4 feet wide and 8 feet long. A "face cord" is 4 feet high, and 8 feet long, but only one log deep, or about 16 inches. If you have wood delivered, be sure you know what you are paying for.
Second, care for it properly.

• Firewood should be stacked off the ground. This allows air to circulate, keeping the firewood drier on the bottom, and allowing it to season properly.
• Stack firewood away from the house. Termites often start out in a wood pile, and from there make their way into your home. Prevent this by keeping a distance between wood piles and your house.
• Cover your wood pile. A tarp or roof will keep your wood dry and rot-free.
• Cut it properly. Knowing what fits in your fireplace or stove, and having wood cut accordingly, will save wood and aggravation.

Recommended Log Racks: