Lawn & Garden

By KELLEY R. DAUGHERTY
Special Sections Editor

Cooler weather is on its way again. For those of you using the hot weather as an excuse to avoid the home improvement and gardening tasks that need to be done, the time is here to take advantage of lower temperatures.

According to Krissy Slagle of the Fayette County Extension Service, the average frost date in the county is Nov. 20, which leaves just enough time to begin treating the ornamental fountains, bird bathes and clay pots with water sealant.

Hanging ferns and tropical plants also need to move indoors as the cool weather approaches. To avoid too dry an environment for these plants, try misting with water and even running a humidifier.

If you don't have screens, then it's time to clean out the gutters before they get bogged down with falling leaves and debris.

To get a jump on winter, winterize your furnace to make sure it is working properly and clean out the filters. Also, check all your doors and windows for cracks that may lead to higher electrical bills. Being energy-efficient will save plenty of money in the coldest monthes.

It's not too early to begin preparing for next year's garden. Build up and amend flower beds for next year and go ahead and divert water from bad drainage areas to keep top soil from eroding.

Fall is also a good time to begin a composting pile, also known as "black gold" according to Teri Escalera,Home Depot certified nurseryman.

Creating your own composting pile is easy, just add anything organic such as leaves, coffee grounds, and old vegetables (just don't add any meat products).

"By putting the composting material around plants, it creates heat," said Escalera. "It's better than storebought."

For vegetable gardeners, it's time to plant nutirient-rich cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and collards. You can even get a last crop of strawberries before winter.

Of course, it is also time to divide perennials, plant your bulbs for next spring, and put out the winter beauties such as mums and pansies.

So get out those gloves, ladders and old shoes. There's plenty of work to do after a long hot summer.

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