Autumn can be an ideal time for fertilizing, soil amendments and transplanting.

The growers at Monorovia have a number of tips:

Fall fertilizing promotes root growth. In areas with regular rainfall, apply slow-release balanced fertilizer. If plants are stressed due to drought, avoid fertilizing, opting for a fresh layer of compost.

Amendments need time to decompose, so autumn is ideal for treating soil for acid lovers like blueberries. Test for pH and correct with blood or cottonseed meal, peat moss or coffee grounds.

When plants go dormant, or when temperatures cool, it's a good time to transplant. When transplanting, add slow-release fertilizer to a plant's new location and top with 2 inches of compost.

Rake in Fall Profits

According to Rob Foster who works for Billy Goat Industries, fall maintenance and cleanup can be a highly profitable season depending upon how efficiently companies service multiple accounts in a tight time window (but first convincing customers of the importance of weekly service because leaves deprive grass of sun and oxygen). Instead of using backpack blowers and tarps for fall cleanup, he suggests:

- Wheeled leaf blowers (some self-propelled) that with advanced fan technology and lightweight composite materials can now operate more efficiently and quieter than before. Larger ones can do the equivalent work of 7 backpacks.

- Outdoor vacuums with hose kits that make for efficient cleaning, shredding and bagging in tight areas. Vacuums with easy slide out bags and no zippers speed up loading and unloading.

- Debris loaders that shorten the loading process. Those with dual shred technology maximize trailer space, limiting the number of dump runs, saving on time and dump fees. And most loaders can be tailgate mounted with an optional hanger kit, truck hitch mounted with a swing away hitch, or skid mounted to a trailer or truck.

- A dump trailer or a dump insert for pick-up trucks that can make hauling and dumping much more efficient. Most dump loaders will come equipped with mesh tarp tops to keep leaves in place during transport.

He concludes with, "Since the window for fall cleanup is often short, it is important to make the most of the opportunity and in turn, rake in the profits before the long winter."

Read his entire article here.

Late Season Gardening

The growers at Monorovia have a number of tips:

Fall fertilizing promotes root growth. In areas with regular rainfall, apply slow-release balanced fertilizer. If plants are stressed due to drought, avoid fertilizing, opting for a fresh layer of compost.

Amendments need time to decompose, so autumn is ideal for treating soil for acid lovers like blueberries. Test for pH and correct with blood or cottonseed meal, peat moss or coffee grounds.

When plants go dormant, or when temperatures cool, it's a good time to transplant. When transplanting, add slow-release fertilizer to a plant's new location and top with 2 inches of compost.