If you want a beautiful landscape for 2021, then fall planting is a must-do task.

Why?

Because if you let your lawn lay dormant from September until February, then when spring rolls around your landscape will not be ready. Better yet, there are many trees, shrubs, and flowers that can be planted now and enjoyed even after summer has passed and into fall. Since we are spending more time than ever at home, why not enjoy your lawn for long as possible!

Fall Planting: What to Plant This Fall

If your goal is to add some spice and color to your fall landscape, then there are several options from which to choose. Here are a few plants to consider planting this fall:

Flowers

Amaranthus – With beautiful tassel-like flowers, this can be planted in full sun or partial shade. A perfect choice for a Georgia landscape!

Celosia – Also known as cockscomb, is a beautiful plant for fall and will bloom quite late into the season.

Pansies and Violas– The great thing about planting these is that you get 2 sets of blooms from them. Typically, they will bloom in the fall and then again in the spring. Definitely a win!

Kale, radishes, heirloom lettuces, spinach, and rainbow chard– while these plants might not be a part of the entertainment area of your landscape, they will look great in a raised bed. Better yet, they will provide you with fresh veggies for your table.

Ornamental peppers – Though not recommended for consumption (they’re super spicy!), these brightly colored plants are easy to care for and add a pop of color to your landscape.

Chrysanthemums – Is it really fall without having a pot or two mums? After all, their bold colors brighten any space. Pick some up and set the pits in bright, but indirectly lit areas of your yard.

Trees

• Sugar maple
• Gingko
• Quaking Aspen
• Chinese Dogwood
• Tulip Tree
• Sweet Gum
• Japanese Maple

Shrubs

• Camellia Sasanqua
• Fothergilla
• Oakleaf hydrangea
• Rhododendron
• Smoke Bush
• Spirea

Fall Planting Tips

So now that you have some ideas for what to plant, there are some fall planting guidelines to keep in mind. After all, you want your landscape to look good now and later. Plan a weekend of beautifying your landscape and follow these tips. It is also a great time to prep your outdoor kitchen for the fall!

• Aerate the lawn and patch any bald spots with grass feed. Spreading grass seed will help fill in any dead areas of your lawn. Prepping your lawn for fall will ensure that is comes back better than ever in the spring.
• Divide bulbs. Use a garden fork to make the task easier and to not damage the roots. Divide them and replant them immediately.
• Cover any container gardens or bring the containers inside – especially the more delicate ones!
• Collect and save fallen leaves. Rather than piling up those fallen leaves and hauling them away, put them to good use. Gather them and store them until spring. When spring comes around, combine the leaves with an organic fertilizer to feed your landscape.
• Choose the healthiest plants available when buying new landscape plants. Ideally, you want plants that have healthy foliage and no roots escaping the container. However, opt for smaller versus larger plants as they are more budget-friendly and easier to work with. Once planted, be sure to water and properly care for your new landscape plants.
• Apply compost. This is the time to put those warm-weather plants to bed. A good layer of compost will protect them from winter’s temperature and have them ready for spring.
• Spread mulch. About 2-3 inches is recommended for most plants. Spread mulch will allow better water absorption and will prevent erosion. Be sure not to pile mulch against the trunks, crowns or stems of plants.

Fall planting is a great way to have a gorgeous landscape for more months of the year. Now is the time to get out those garden tools, visit the local nursery, and spruce up your landscape. Not feeling it? Then contact Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces and learn how we can help. We have been providing excellent landscaping and design services in the Atlanta, GA area since 2001.

The post Creating a Stunning Fall Landscape: What to Plant & How appeared first on Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces.

An outdoor kitchen provides plenty of space for entertaining guests, or to simply cook and enjoy a meal outside. But like many things, outdoor kitchens also bring with it a few tasks to add to your fall to-do list. It is easy to complete these tasks within a weekend, so make sure to do it before cold weather strikes. Not preparing your outdoor kitchen can lead to an expensive start to the cooler weather season.

How to Get Your Outdoor Kitchen Ready for Fall

Living in Georgia means our cold weather season is not as intense as it is to our North. However, it doesn’t mean that you can completely ignore cold weather and not take preventative measures for your outdoor kitchen. By being proactive, you will make outdoor cooking easier this fall season.

1. Protect the plumbing.

Take time to clear out any water that might be stored in the pipes. Failing to do this can lead to burst pipes should the weather drop below freezing. Check to see that all drain valves are in the open position so that no water can be trapped. This is also the time to clean the sink and cover it to prevent any scratches.

2. Prepare the grill.

If you have a grill in your outdoor kitchen, give it a thorough cleaning. Here’s how:

• Use a degreaser to remove any grease build-up.
• Polish surfaces with stainless steel polish.
• Remove the grill grates and clean underneath. Remove all previous cooking residue. This will help your burners perform better and prevent grease fires.
• Season the cooking surface(s). Apply vegetable oil and allow the grill to heat to 500* F for 20 minutes to remove any build-up. Seasoning the cooking surfaces of your grill will help prevent food from sticking.
• Turn off the gas line if you don’t expect using your grill during cold weather months. This helps further protect the most critical pieces of your outdoor grill

3. Prevent damage to your outdoor kitchen.

Cover all surfaces and appliances that are subject to cracks, stains, and scratches due to cold weather or debris that might get blown that direction. If you have cabinetry or stone countertops, now is a good time to apply a coat of oil or sealer. Applying a coat of oil or sealer will extend the life of the surfaces and make cleaning them easier.

4. Turn off the refrigerator and ice maker.

In addition to turning off the water supply, be sure to unplug these units. Then empty each of them of any food that might be stored inside. However, do not cover them with any type of cloth as this can cause moisture accumulation, and ultimately damage them.

Having an outdoor kitchen is a wonderful option. After all, it means you have more useable space to enjoy cooler fall weather in Georgia weather. But you don’t want your outside kitchen to become a “used to be” space that is no longer useable. Make these tasks a part of your fall routine, so that you can get many long years out of your outside kitchen.

If you want to install or update your outdoor kitchen, contact Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces! We design and build outdoor kitchens that are custom built around your needs.

The post 4 Tips for Preparing Your Outdoor Kitchen for Fall appeared first on Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces.