Inland Gardeners Tiger Tip
Inland Gardeners
If you have oak trees and are planning on using the leaves for a compost pile, make a separate pile for them. Put the oak leaves on one pile because they are acidic and compost from them can be used on azaleas, mountain laurel, and conifers. Leaves from other trees should be placed on the second pile. A leaf compost should be built in layers. Sprinkle a little fertilizer, gypsum and soil over each layer of leaves. Water it down with a hose and occasionally turn the piles to encourage the break down process.
Shrubs planted now will thank you later. Our soil in October and November is still warm enough to encourage vigorous root growth, while at the same time cooler air temperature makes it less stressful on the plant. Fall planted trees and shrubs develop a strong root system, and come next summer they suffer less during the hot days.