Give the lawn a final mowing. Depending upon the weather, the final lawn mowing can happen in late October up to mid-November. I tend to do this cutting a little lower than usual, by about ¼ inch, to keep the lawn looking good throughout winter. But don’t go too short; that could cause other issues come spring. Sometimes I do an additional mowing not for the grass but to shred the leaves. If there are a lot of leaves, I remove them from the lawn; if not, they get mulched directly into the grass. For more tips on caring for your lawn before winter, watch on here.

 Wrap the trunks of young trees. As the sun moves lower in the sky, tree trunks can become susceptible to sunscald, which can cause stress and even death, especially in young trees that are two to three years old, whose canopies are too small to provide protection. Tree wrap is a roll of usually brown paperlike material that you can find at your local garden center. Starting at the bottom of the tree, overlap the paper by 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the paper. Secure it just above the first branch with tape. (Tape to the paper, not directly to the tree.). A general rule of thumb is to put the wrap on at Thanksgiving and remove it at Easter. This helps me to remember!

Protect overwintering vegetables. If you planted garlic or are growing carrots and other root vegetables for use through the winter, be sure to apply a thick layer of leaves or other mulch to help keep the soil from freezing. Water occasionally if you do not get rain or snow. Get more guidance on overwintering fall-planted veggies here.

Winterize power tools. With mowers and other power tools generally retired for the season by now, it’s time to winterize them. Follow these steps to protect the longevity of your tools:

•         Add fuel stabilizer to the gas tanks. Follow directions on the bottle of stabilizer.
•         Drain the oil from each tool to prevent the oil from gumming up during the cold months.
•         Remove and sharpen blades.
•         Clean the equipment (mower deck, spark plugs, air filters, etc.) thoroughly.
•         Replace broken, missing, or worn-out parts.

Buy bulbs to force for indoors. Now is the time to get holiday bulbs from your local garden center or online source. Look for large, firm bulbs of paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus and cvs., Zones 8–11) and amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp. and cvs., Zones 8–11) to plant in containers. Paperwhites typically bloom faster than amaryllis, but be sure to check the variety and plant accordingly. Learn how to plant these bulbs for quick, beautiful blooms here.

—Michelle Provaznik is executive director of the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins, Colorado

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Flat Soaker Hose 75 150 FT for Garden Beds

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Consistent & Even Watering Drip Irrigation Hose: Makes use of a clog-resistant fabric cover recycled vinyl for consistent slow soaking seep throughout its entire length. Deliver water to the entire area that it covers. Only certain areas of your garden bed getting watered. For waste-free watering in garden beds and other tight spaces. Waters the base of the plants so less water-related leaf damage. Linkable Garden Soaker Hose For DIY Irrigation System: End to end connectable drip water hose, flexible versatile Above-ground or bury it below a up to 3-inch layer of mulch or soil; this fit with garden hose threads and come with rust resistant end caps that make it possible to connect multiple hoses and works well with timers. Maneuverability And 100% Environmentally Friendly Drip Hose: Double layer design PVC Covered With Extra-Strength Fabric material protect from sun damage than rubber weeping hose; ensure the longevity of the soaker hose, which is ideal for you using it regularly through all seasons in your garden. Made of 100% environmentally friendly recycled vinyl, pass CA65 test, water is safe for ground which makes it perfect for use with vegetables, herbs, and other edible plants. Easy To Store Flat Soaker Hose: This irrigation drip hose flat design is kink-resistant, lies flat makes it a breeze to roll up and store for next season.The flat shape also makes it simple to snake under existing plant growth. One-Year Warranty on Flat Soaker Hoses: Ensure a water pressure of 40-90 psi for best results—hot water is not suitable.

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Pruning Simplified: A Step-by-Step Guide to 50 Popular Trees and Shrubs

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Pruning Simplified shows you exactly how to do it. This must-have guide offers expert advice on the best tools for the job, specific details on when to prune, and clear instructions on how to prune. Profiles of the 50 most popular trees and shrubs—including azaleas, camellias, clematis, hydrangeas, and more—include illustrated, easy-to-follow instructions that will ensure you make the right cut the first time.

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Spearhead Shade Gardening Shovel with Steel-Reinforced Fiberglass Handle

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Reduce Digging Effort - The Spear Head Spade is the first hybrid shovel/spade, guaranteed to make your toughest digging up to 80% easier than regular shovels and spades, even in the toughest soil conditions. Ideal for landscaping and gardening. Multi-Purpose Shovel - Spear Head Spade is a versatile tool that can be used for digging, planting, weeding, cutting, and edging. It is designed to handle tough soil and clay conditions, and can cut through roots and tough vegetation with ease. Innovative Design - Has a unique blade design that makes it more efficient and easier to use than traditional spades. The blade is shaped like a spearhead, with a pointed tip and a curved edge that allows it to penetrate the soil more easily. Ergonomic D-Handle - The large, cushioned D-grip offers comfort and better leverage for gloved and ungloved hands alike, reducing strain on the hands and wrists. Lightweight & Strong - Durable handle is made of special steel-reinforced, pultruded fiberglass to withstand heavy use. 60% stronger than EN-3388 shovel/spade standards, 33% thicker and 25% harder than normal shovels. Sharpened from tip to tail at a 35 degree angle for an effective and durable edge.

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