Weeding beds and aerating turf
This is a great time of year to take care of your soil so that your garden will flourish in the spring.
I am also able to weed the beds of the new native plant garden now more easily because there are only occasional bees. Up until this week the Heuchera Autumn Bride and the Liatrus were filled with very happy bees. Now it is in the high thirties over night.
First, if you haven’t done it yet, think about aerating your turf. This allows the roots to get oxygen and to spread out. It also provides air to the beneficial microorganisms in the soil that keep your grass healthy. Autumn is the time to do this because in the spring you uncover weed seeds when they are ready to germinate. Now your turf has the upper hand and root growth is strong. If your grass is thick and healthy you will have fewer problems with weeds. You can still overseed, too, to encourage dense turf and outcompete weeds.
Strong soil is the key to plants doing well without chemicals.