FALL IS HERE, PRIORITIES ARE CHANGING

After a long, hot, dry summer, relief has finally arrived with cooler weather and rain forecasted this week and beyond. October has had dry weather in past years but this year the irrigation season is nearing the end. We are in the process of cutting back and even shutting down most systems. As we are beginning to plant fall pansies, those valves will stay programmed to water. Year to date prior to the coming rain, we are 5” or 24% below average in annual rainfall.

With the onset of fall, our priorities are changing and we are preparing for fall activities, including leaf removal, pansy plantings, and fall wet weather mowing. The change in seasons keeps us busy and hopefully, the weather stays cool but does not complicate our early fall activities.  

MOWING: As the weather cools, the lawns will slow their growth and we will move toward a bi-weekly mowing schedule. 

PRUNING: Before the leaves begin to fall, our focus is to get as much pruning completed prior to winter. This is our major focus and we use the extra time we get with the bi-weekly mowing.

PANSIES: We began planting pansies this past week as the rain and cooler weather is taking it’s toll on summer flowers. Our goal is to get all pansies planted by the end of October

FALL LEAVES: As we get to the end of October, leaves will be our sole focus. We are preparing now to ensure we can collect leaves as quickly as possible.