Prepare Now for Next Year

The American Phytopathological Society has created a list of procedures to help you ensure your landscapes are beautiful and productive next year.

Published October 08, 2003

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A little work now could mean big results next spring.

Plant doctors at the American Phytopathological Society (APS) have developed a checklist of autumn-time procedures to help you ensure your landscapes are beautiful and productive next year. Check out the list and start preparing today.

  • Rake up fallen leaves and remove plant debris from the property. Dried plant debris provides energy for disease organisms to survive the winter.
  • Compost all plant debris properly to ensure plant pathogens are destroyed.
  • Check the roots of annual plants as you remove them and perennials as you divide them.  Discard those with galls, rots, or other abnormalities that might indicate a root disease or nematode problem.
  • Check trees and shrubs for damaged or diseased areas and remove as recommended for the situation.
  • Consider pruning trees and shrubs to increase air circulation in the landscape. This reduces the length of time moisture is present. The longer moisture is present, the greater the chance of disease.
  • If fireblight was a problem on apple and related plants, mark the cankered (dead) areas with white latex paint or string so you can find them when it's time for removal in late winter.
  • In northern areas, keep lawns mowed at the recommended height and avoid excessive rates of nitrogen to minimize snow mold problems. In southern areas, treat for oak leaf blister and peach leaf curl.
  • Make a list of the plants with which you had problems. Use this list to choose plants with disease resistance when you look through the garden catalogs this winter.

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