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GAKidsTV – Autumn Yard Clean-up

GAKidsTV – Autumn Yard Clean-up
I have a love hate relationship with Autumn.

I love the smells, the baking, the overall cozy feeling. I’m not a big fan of watching my garden fade into a deep sleep though! Gardens are always rewarding work, but the autumn clean up is kind of…bleh.

So, what kinds of things should we be doing to prep the garden for winter?

Let’s start with fertilizer. We know that fertilizer promotes growth in plants. There are a couple of things you want to fertilize this time of year. Annuals are the flowers that only survive one growing season here in Calgary. This includes things like geraniums, marigolds, petunias, veggies, etc. Continue fertilizing these flowers well into Autumn until they’re done! This not only benefits you in providing colour, but also helps out those beneficial pollinators who are hungry heading into winter! The other thing you’ll want to consider fertilizing is your lawn with an autumn fertilizer. We recommend this great one from Pro-mix. Applying this will allow for the storage of essential nutrients and encourage deep root growth. Things you shouldn’t fertilize are your perennials, trees, and shrubs.

Next, we move to those autumn leaves. THE icon of Autumn. I personally look forward to falling leaves, but there are a lot of opinions about what you should do with the ones around your yard. To rake or not to rake….that is the question. Typically, you want to rake in the spring and autumn. When you rake in the spring, your main goal is to remove the thatch (layer of organic matter that works to provide insulation for your lawn over winter). Using a heavier rake will help to remove that layer. In the autumn, you’re aiming to only remove the leaves. If not removed, those leaves will get wet, heavy, and produce mold which doesn’t fly with grass. A leaf rake is light enough to remove just the leaves and leave the layer of thatch which we is very beneficial protection for grass during the winter months. Some plants will benefit from the presence of leaves. Consider piling them around plants like roses or against a back fence where little yard critters can build homes. Having these beneficial bugs will give you a step up come spring. Careful when removing that leaf layer in the spring though so as not to damage new plant shoots, and to not kill the bugs you’re trying to protect.

Now, some of the more fragile plants may require a little more protection. For some of your new trees and roses, laying down some mulch can help to insulate them during our harsh winters. Be sure to choose a more shredded mulch to block the snow as much as possible. We have some available for purchase here. Frost blankets can also help to insulate your plants especially during those chilly overnights. Set up a few bamboo sticks around your plant and drape the fabric top. You want to avoid any of your branches from touching the blanket or poking through. Same principle with burlap which we sell at the store in bulk or in rolls. This strong fabric can help to provide insulation through the winter for some of your more fragile trees and shrubs, but again try to set up some sticks around it and staple the burlap to the sticks to avoid branches sticking through.

Lastly, focusing on your annuals and perennials. With annuals, fertilize them with a bloom boost fertilizer this this one from Pro-mix to push them into those final blooms before removing them. They’ll be done by the end of the season. With perennials, don’t fertilize! We know that fertilize promotes growth in plants. You want these plants to come back next year! As Colin put it in Thursday’s video, it’s like being really really tired and someone offers you a Red Bull. Not good. Let your perennials go to sleep. Remove the dead leaves, add mulch if needed, and then leave them. Why remove the dead leaves? It’ll not only give you less to do come spring, but it decreases the chances of damaging those baby shoots in the spring. When in doubt if your plants are annual or perennial, best thing to do it to just leave. Don’t risk pulling out or fertilizing a perennial by mistake!

I hope your autumn clean up goes well! If you have any questions, let us know! We’re all standing by to help you out at the store, as well as on all our social channels.

Next week, we’re diving more into the realm of Annual flowers. They can do a lot for your yard in the autumn. YES! Don’t give up on them!

Happy gardening!

Brandi   
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Calcium Nitrate:

Mix Ratio: Apply ¼ teaspoon per 2 litres once a week. I full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended preventing blossom end rot and calcium deficiency in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchinis, and cannabis. It is also highly beneficial for all leafy greens and cruciferous plants (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli etc.).

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Iron Chelate

Mix Ratio: Soil drench – apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix ratio: Foliar spray - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 4 Litres of water once every 4 weeks. A full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended for correcting iron deficiency in a variety of plants grown in high pH soil. Iron deficiency is diagnosed by the yellowing or pale colour of the plant leaves, especially in young growth.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

High Drainage

Moisten Thoroughly before use: (optional) Peat moss can be water-repellent. Before use, thoroughly wet the soil.

Potting:

Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Fill the pot with the moistened soil, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more soil.

Firm the soil gently.

Watering:

This is crucial! Water frequently, especially during hot weather.

Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger into the soil.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is low in nutrients, fertilize regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Consider Amendments:

For plants that prefer more moisture retention, you can add a small amount of coco coir or vermiculite to the mix.

Important Notes:

Overwatering: While frequent watering is necessary, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Plant Selection: This type of soil is well-suited for seed starting as well as plants that prefer well-drained conditions, such as cacti, cannabis, succulents, and some tropical plants.

Adjustments: You may need to adjust your watering frequency based on the specific plant and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight).

Alberta Blend

Moisten the Peat Moss before use: (optional) Peat moss can be hydrophobic (water-repellent) when dry. Before using it, thoroughly moisten it. You can do this by placing it in a container and adding water, then squeezing out any excess.

Mixing: (optional) Our Private Label Alberta Blend comes ready to use, expertly formulated for your plants, either indoors or outdoors.

If you're using this mix as your own base, combine it with worm castings, volcanic dust, vermiculite, etc. to improve nutrition, drainage and/or aeration.

Potting:

When potting your plants, ensure that the pot has drainage holes.

Fill the pot with the moistened potting mix, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more potting mix.

Lightly firm the soil around the plant leaving ½ inch to an inch of space at the top for watering.

Watering:

Because peat moss retains water, be careful not to overwater.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly before watering again.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is nutrient-poor, you'll need to provide your plants with regular fertilization.

Use the correct fertilizer according to the plant's needs.

20-20-20 Houseplant Complete

Mix Ratio: For all houseplants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week once every week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

It is highly recommended to start your houseplants on a fertilizer regime, but only while they are actively growing. Houseplants tend to have a period of dormancy (normally winter, however poinsettias, Xmas cacti etc. are exceptions to this rule) and whilst dormant they should not be fertilized.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

22-6-15 Plus Herb and Leafy Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all herbaceous and leafy vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This fertilizer is ideal for all leafy vegetables and for herbs. This product can be used year-round if you grow herbs indoors.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

20-12-28 Tomato and Fruiting Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all fruiting vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Use this fertilizer on planting day and push right through until the plant either stops producing or reaches the end of season. In the case of transplanted seedlings this fertilizer should be used after the 2 feedings of Js - Jump-Start & Transplant.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

10-52-10 Jump-Start & Transplant

Mix Ratio: For outdoor summer plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Normally two applications, one at the time of transplanting, the second application can be done one week later from the initial fertilizing. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix Ratio: For seed starting - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Do not over water seedlings, feed every 2 weeks until transplanted outside. Feed them at the time of transplanting outdoors, then one more feeding a week later. After that start using the correct fertilizer for type of plant. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

 e.g. Vt Vegetable: Tomato and Fruiting for tomatoes, F3 Flower flower flower for bedding out/annual plants.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

4-5-28 Perennial Complete

Mix Ratio: All perennials (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks from spring to late summer. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your perennials. For existing perennials, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. new shoots etc.). For new perennials we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

28-14-14 Plus Trees and Shrubs - Fruit and Flower

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water per week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

14-7-21 Tree and Shrub Leaf & Needle

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your evergreen/coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

15-10-30 Flower, Flower, Flower

Mix Ratio: Outdoor plants (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water twice a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your annual plants. We recommend starting to fertilize at time of planting outdoors and go through to first frost.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.