Last chance! A Fall Checklist for the Lethbridge Yard

Fall in southern Alberta is a fickle season for outdoor work. Temperatures can rival the days of late summer or plunge sub-zero along with snow and fierce winds. The only thing we can count on in Lethbridge is that we’ll likely get a few of both the aforementioned days, and a lot more moderate (albeit almost always windy) ones. Because of this, procrastination of outdoor fall chores may prevail. Now that it’s November, though, the clean-up days run short.  

Here is a checklist of outdoor chores you may consider with the last of the real autumn days to ensure the longevity of your home and equipment and health of your plants and the insects that support them. Don’t leave it much longer – December is consistently a lot more like early winter than late summer.

• Trees. It is wise to consider extra hydration of your trees and shrubs this time of year, particularly if September and October have had low precipitation. The goal is to ensure trees go into a deep freeze with moisture that will get them through increasingly early and warm springs. Think: ice cube. They don’t need much, as the cold nights and short sunlight hours tend to save the moisture (and the trees are dormant now, so not using water in the soil). Consider half a gallon per foot of height (or spread, in shorter shrubs): this can be done by timing water flow into a container of known volume for mature trees (for example, if you fill up a 5 gallon bucket in a minute, you can water a ten foot tree from your hose for one minute at its base). In order to keep that last flood of moisture from evaporating, see “mulch” below.

• Leaves. One of our most valuable landscape resources (no cost, plentiful, and environmentally friendly). Consider removing them from hardscapes (leaves create a near impossible situation for winter shovelling) and transporting them to annual/perennial beds that are protected from wind. Furthermore, turf areas grow better in the spring when raked free of leaves, so simply rake all your grass leaves into tree wells and garden areas. Leaf mulch is vital to beneficial insects and also act as insulation against temperature changes during Chinooks (remember that icecube).  If you have more than you need, consider creating a temporary pile in a protected location. These leaves are great mulch for garden beds next summer or extra carbon for your compost pile. Watch for an article in early spring about how to manage these potentially flammable carbon sources in your garden beds. 

• Rain barrels. Equipment is expensive and the best way to ensure longevity is to properly winterize. Rain barrels need to be detached from downspouts and any filter/capture system should be removed, cleaned, and stored. The tank must be drained before winter temperatures ensue. Rinsing with high-pressure hose is optional but gets you ahead in spring and decreases staining. Remove the spigot or at the very least, make sure the drain/spigot is left open so that no moisture can accumulate in the spigot or other hardware and cause damage during freeze/thaw. It is beneficial to cover any openings or turn small tanks upside down so that moisture (and algae) doesn’t accumulate in the tank and also that screens are protected (these may also be removed). Storing the tank out of the sun for the winter will also increase its lifespan.

• Downspouts. Those that are draining into barrels should be rerouted to areas that are safely away from your foundation and not draining onto a walking surface. All downspout elbows should be checked for debris to ensure good winter melt flow. 

• Eaves. All the leaves are brown and the eves are full. Seeds that are trapped in your gutters will sprout and it isn’t ideal to have trees growing on your roof or to have jammed eavestroughs during winter melt events or subsequent spring precipitation. This vegetative debris freezes and may damage your troughs and your roof, as well as cause waterfalls directly to your foundation. This requires getting up on a ladder and cleaning out the debris in the troughs as well as in connecting downspout elbows, where leaves and dirt often pile up. While you’re up there, put up your holiday lights and save yourself a trip. 

• Hoses. One of the least reliable tools in your landscape toolbox, especially if they aren’t properly cared for. Detach and walk them out to drain (do this twice). Wait until they are warm in the sun to coil them more easily and avoid damage due to kinking (a damp, kinked hose will likely split the following year. Store covered, preferably flat on the ground. 

• Underground system. If you have an automated sprinkler system and are feeling adventurous, you can save some money by blowing out the lines yourself. This is a great way to really get acquainted with your irrigation system, which will make you a more responsible irrigator. The following article recommends running through your stations twice but make sure you go a third time if one of your zones spurts water on the second round: How to blow out sprinklers for winter.
• Annual pots. For longevity and disease control, these should be emptied, cleaned with insecticidal soap (blue Dawn works fine – just make sure you rinse it in an area that won’t harm beneficial insects, like a raked lawn), and stacked upside down for the winter. Consider throwing the dirt/roots in your composter or use it as a mulch on your annual beds. This can also be done in the spring if you’re short on time (or long on procrastinating) but you will thank yourself next year if you do it now. 
• Perennials – leave them until mid-winter or spring
• Shrubs – remove deadwood (optional). Stack the wood on windward side of exposed shrubs to catch moisture. Collect the wood debris from wind storms and pile in the same manner to protect your shrubs and catch the snow. There are several varieties that need pruning through the winter in order to flower next year: hopefully you were informed when you planted them!
• Wood Mulch – Fall is a great time to add some wood mulch to your garden. This isn’t the time to spend big on attractive mulch, so definitely consider sourcing some from the City of Lethbridge for free at Peenaquim Park or for a small fee at the Waste and Recycling Center. After your plants have gone dormant, load them up with several inches of mulch right up to their central growth. Like leaves, this addition will need to be managed in spring to ensure good absorption of available rainfall and to limit fire hazard, but it can be done right near the bed so the resource can be used responsibly as summer temperatures rise. 

• Special note: Elms can be pruned from October first through the winter without threat of spreading disease. Please read about Dutch Elm Disease in Lethbridge (and existing pruning restrictions) here.
• Seeds & bulbs: You can sprinkle seeds and plant fall bulbs up until the winter freeze as long as you can work the soil. Grab some great deals right now on wildflowers, perennials, herbs, and aesthetic bulbs. Note that garlic is also a fall-planted bulb, and if you have some space, consider popping in a few cloves (it grows happily with strawberries,  raspberries, and chokecherries). Pro tip: throw a bit of spinach seed with the cloves for early greens.
• Check snow equipment: It’s best to check that your shovels and ice chipper are in good repair before snow and ice come calling. Consider replacing a shovel or ice blade instead of buying a new one. Get your mechanized equipment serviced before there is any need to use them.
• Preparation for early spring seeding: If you are interested in starting some seeds in January through March, it’s a great time to take stock of supplies to get prepared for incoming articles and Zoom sessions about starting spring seeds. It’s never fun digging through a shed or unheated garage in January, so consider getting these things together now. What you’ll need: seed trays, pots, a small bag of sterile soil, and maybe even the seeds that you want to try (again, greatest time to buy seeds on sale is in the fall). Also, just for fun, you may be interested in sourcing a small, full-spectrum LED grow light. 

Finally, it should be unscientifically noted that procrastination increases exponentially as temperatures fall, so the next week is a great time to finish everything up. Also, completion of these chores leads to great satisfaction and no-guilt enjoyment of snow days cuddled under a blanket with a cup of tea and a novel. Who can’t get behind that? Happy fall organising!