* Tree trimming and planting – The fall months offer the perfect opportunity to plant and trim trees. If you’re planting, make sure to give the new trees plenty of water in the weeks leading up to the first hard frost. Also, make sure your established trees receive a good supply of water, especially if the end-of-summer weather has been hot and dry.

Tree trimming allows you to remove dead branches and limbs, as well as growth that may be blocking your patio, sidewalk and driveway, or hanging over the roof of your house. If the tree is quite large in size, consider renting a tree trimmer to reach the high branches.  When you’re done, rent a wood chipper to make mulch for next year’s garden with the branches and limbs you’ve trimmed. A brush cutter can help clear away ground clutter.

* Give your lawn some life with lawn aeration and dethatching. If your lawn is showing signs of runoff and thinning, it can mean the dirt is very compacted, and needs aeration to allow water and nutrients in. Aerator rental is an option to perforate your lawn with small holes, giving the grass a chance to refresh and thicken prior to the winter freeze. This will help give your lawn a beautiful green look next season.

Dethatching is another lawn care option to help your lawn grow thick and lush come spring. Roots, dead stems and clippings often get trapped between the soil and the green vegetation, blocking the soil from receiving water and nutrients. Stop at your local rental store for a thatcher, which will slice through the dead materials, lifting them up and out of the way. The American Rental Association’s RentalHQ.com helps you to quickly and easily find the nearest rental store to you.

* Prep your gardens – both floral and vegetable – to help minimize the work you’ll have to do in the spring. Remove all the dead plants, and turn over the soil using a rototiller from your local rental store, adding a layer of natural fertilizer like leaf clippings, grass clippings or compost. Don’t make the layer too thick. These materials will help provide some additional nutrients to the soil as they break down over the winter months.

Fall is a great time to plant bulbs for early spring flower decorations. Cultivate the soil by churning it up and adding a bit of compost or other fertilizer. Plant the bulb, water it and mark it so you don’t accidentally dig it up early in the spring while preparing your garden for another season of growing.

Renting lawn and garden equipment washes away the worry of having to maintain and store it, leaving more room in your basement, garage and garden shed, and affording you more time to enjoy your backyard and peruse gardening catalogs and magazines as winter arrives and you dream for the first sign of spring.

To get started with your projects now, visit RentalHQ.com to find a location in your area to get all of the equipment you’ll need.

The post Prepare Your Yard and Garden for Winter first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Regardless of where in the country you live, fall produce is becoming abundantly available. For some regions, families have begun making their annual pilgrimage to the local orchard to pick apples or pears, and pumpkins are maturing in the backyard garden waiting to be turned into jack-o-lanterns. But even if these crops aren’t possible to grow in your area, fresh autumn favorites like pumpkins, apples, parsnips and kale are still most likely making frequent appearances at local farmers markets and grocery stores.

Roast them, stew them, can them or bake them. Pumpkin, squash, root vegetables, apples and pears make for great cuisine that the whole family can enjoy. For a new take on old favorites, try adding rutabaga slices to your au gratin potato recipe or pop some cubed squash in while cooking up your family’s favorite beef stew.

Get the whole family involved and take the kids along to the market to find new vegetables to sample. Getting everyone interested in new flavors can be exciting. Sample some unfamiliar items and find new favorites. Kids will enjoy comparing the flavors of roasted carrots, parsnips, rutabagas, yams, potatoes, jicama and squash when marinated in a dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Decide which flavors your family prefers and make this a seasonal tradition to cook up together annually.

Whether you’ve grown your own produce or pick it up at the market, America’s Test Kitchen and Miracle-Gro have teamed up to provide fresh new recipes and tips on fall gardening at www.scotts.com/GroYourOwn. Sample some of these delicious recipes while incorporating fall plants and produce into the menu and even learn which fall crops are best to grow in your area of the country.

Of course, nothing compares with the satisfaction of growing your own produce. Even if you didn’t plant a garden this year, why not make plans for one next year? With just a sunny place for a container on the balcony or a small plot in the backyard, you can easily plant your own garden to grow fresh squash, rutabagas or carrots in the spring to be enjoyed by your family next fall. If you prefer the crunch of a freshly picked apple, try planting a dwarf apple tree instead.

As the temperatures drop, enjoy the season’s harvest by incorporating locally grown produce into the menu. Start reviewing new recipes to try for family and friends and test their reactions. With the hearty flavors of freshly grown and harvested vegetables from the garden, everyone will be clamoring for more.

The post Enjoying the Fall Garden's Bountiful Harvest first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Route 7 (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont)
Prime Time: mid-September through early October

“Vermont gets all the fall foliage glory, but southern New England has its fair share of blazing hillsides and quaint roadside towns,” says Pieter van Noordennen, editor of travel advice site Away.com and a Connecticut native. U.S. Route 7 runs 308 miles from Norwalk, Conn., to Highgate, Vt., passing through the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts and Connecticut, and continuing to the Green Mountains in Vermont. Fifty percent of the trees in this area are red and sugar maples, creating the scarlet red and warm orange glow that is legendary in these parts. These spots are no doubt a mecca for serious leaf-peepers. Make a weekend of it with a bed and breakfast in Middlebury or a camping spot at Kent Falls State Park. And if you need a break from snapping leaf pictures, head to Waterbury, Vt., for a yummy tour of the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory. Route 7 was not unscathed by Hurricane Irene. But the damage is isolated to a few sections in Vermont, and detours are in place. Besides, doesn’t taking a detour every now and then make for a good adventure? Call (800) VERMONT if you have questions about Route 7.

Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee)
Prime Time: mid- to late-October

The Blue Ridge Parkway starts in Shenandoah National Park and winds 469 miles through western North Carolina to the Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee. The ups and downs along this parkway range from 650 feet to over 6,000 feet, with leaf color peaking at the higher elevations first. You will find a brilliant canvas created by the deep red dogwoods, the bright yellow hickories, and the vivid orange sassafras. Orbitz recently launched an iPad app that makes booking hotels on the go easy, so you don’t have to plan too far ahead. So make pit-stops along the way in the “Blue Ridge Capital” of Roanoke, Va., hippy-chic Asheville, N.C., and the spectacle that is Gatlinburg, Tenn.

Natchez Trace Parkway (Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi)
Prime Time: mid- to late-October

The Deep South breathes a collective sigh of relief as the blistering summer heat gives way to pleasant fall temperatures, and lovely foliage to go along with it. The Natchez Trace Parkway begins in Natchez, Miss., and stretches a little over 440 miles to Nashville, Tenn. In late October you will see the maples, oaks, and other hardwood trees showing off their vibrant red, yellows, oranges, and purples.  And leaves aren’t the only attraction. Hiking and biking trails dot the way, as do historic sites and charming craft centers, inviting you to park the car and stretch your legs. Camping is a budget-friendly option for a multi-day trip, or you can detour off the track for a comfortable hotel room.

Yosemite (California)
Prime Time: mid- to late-October

Yosemite is a beautiful park year-round, but visit in October and you’ll see the maples, oaks, and dogwoods boasting their color among the evergreens. Yellow is the favorite fall color of these deciduous trees, with some red and orange splashed in. Near the Yosemite Chapel, check out the non-native sugar maple that turns a bright red; there are several short walks and stops along the way where you can get great leaf photos. To make the drive more than just a day trip, roll into little towns like Mariposa and get a restful night’s sleep at the adorable bed and breakfasts.

If you need a dose of closer-to-home fall foliage, GORP.com’s interactive fall color map shows peak seasons around the country.

The post Great American Road Trips for Fall Foliage first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Here are 10- to 15-minute garden and lawn drills to keep your focus on the game and yard work on the sideline this fall:

September
* Lawns can get damaged when kids and pets play on grass that is still wilting from summer heat and drought. Spruce up your lawn by reseeding with a quality grass seed and lawn food specifically designed to help seed germinate, like Scotts Starter Fertilizer. Fall is the best time for grass. Keep the seed and young grass watered and hold off on any weed control until the new grass has been mowed four times.

* Feed the grass. The difference between “so-so” grass and truly beautiful grass, both now and next spring, is two fall feedings. Feeding in early September helps your lawn begin rebuilding grass roots that were damaged during the hot, dry summer. Feed again in late October to prepare for winter, using Scotts Winter Guard once new seed is established.

* Create patches of color in your landscape by filling pots with fall flora. Replace tired-looking summer plants with mums, asters, pansies and flowering cabbage. Look for special displays at local garden centers and add Miracle-Gro potting soil to your containers for big, beautiful blooms.

* Clean up the garden. Perennials may now be past their prime and the summertime vegetable garden may be looking a bit sparse. If so, cut them back. This will help keep bugs and disease away. Use what you cut to start a compost pile.

October
* Prevent tree leaves from smothering grass. Contrary to popular belief, fallen tree leaves will not insulate the lawn during winter. In fact, they can block vital sunlight and cause turf to thin. So, drop the rake and mulch leaves to dime-sized pieces with a lawn mower. Leave clippings on the lawn to allow leaves to recycle back into the soil, providing food for earthworms and soil microbes.

* Plant spring-blooming bulbs now for bursts of color later. Visit a local garden center for a great selection of daffodil, crocus, hyacinth, tulip and other spring-flowering bulbs. Plant in masses or tuck patches into other beds for a surprise of spring color. Feed with Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Bone Meal for strong root development.

* Due to cooler temperatures, fall is a great time to plant a tree or shrub. Soils stay warm late into the fall which allows for good root development and less transplant shock. Roots will also have an easier time starting new growth again in early spring, and plants are often on sale in autumn. Be sure to use Miracle-Gro Quick Start Transplant Starting Solution to help prevent transplant shock and provide essential nutrients.

November
Mow at a “summer height” of 2 to 3 inches until your grass stops growing – into early winter. Do not lower your height for the final cut.

* Clean up tools for a fresh start next spring. They have served you well all season, but now it is time to put them away. To prevent rusting, give tools a good cleaning before hanging up, and then spray a light coating of common household oil. When finished mowing for the year, perform any mower maintenance before storage for winter. Sharpen mower blades, change the spark plug, and be sure to drain the gas or run the engine dry of fuel.

With these quick drills in the rotation, the garden and lawn will stay in tip-top shape leaving plenty of time to catch games. They also will look great for any impromptu tailgate parties. These simple tasks will make life easier next spring and give the garden and lawn a head start.

The post Have More Time for Football: 15-minute Garden and Lawn Drills first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Despite its ill-suited name that would lead you to believe you are allergic to hay, the allergic reaction is actually rarely triggered by hay. The myth dates back to the 1800s when British doctors discovered that people exposed to cut hay or grass resulted in sneezing and itching, producing nervousness, which was referred to as a “fever.” Thus, the term hay fever was coined.

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, causes cold-like signs and symptoms such as itchiness of the nose, roof of the mouth, throat, eyes and ears, along with watery eyes, runny nose, congestion, and sneezing. But unlike a cold, hay fever isn’t caused by a virus; it is caused by an allergic response to outdoor or indoor allergens, such as mold, trees, pollen and pet dander.

Hay fever, which affects an estimated 60 million people in the United States, young and old, can really take a toll on your daily routine, and is a nuisance both personally and professionally. Whether you’re affected year-round or during a specific season, learning how to manage hay fever symptoms can be vital to restoring your comfort and quality of life.

This condition can also be expensive to manage. From 2000 to 2005, the cost of treating allergic rhinitis nearly doubled from $6.1 billion to $11.2 billion, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. More than half of that was spent on prescription and over-the-counter medications. Some experts recommend patients purchase store-brand, over-the-counter medicines as an effective means of managing both the condition and its associated costs.

“There are a number of very effective over-the-counter treatments to address the symptoms of seasonal allergies,” says Dr. William Berger, professor of allergy and immunology at the University of California, Irvine. “In fact, to help patients save money, I would recommend many of the store-brand, non-sedating antihistamines sold at leading retailers and pharmacies, such as Cetirizine or Loratadine. These products are approved by the FDA, but cost significantly less than the brand names.”

According to Berger, many allergy sufferers may find better relief of their symptoms by trying one of these newer, more effective treatments now available in the aisle, like Fexofenadine, which just switched from prescription to over-the-counter in 2011.

“Even if it isn’t the hay folks are actually allergic to, it doesn’t make ‘hay fever’ any less miserable for those dealing with it. Effective management with medicines, ideally before the symptoms start, is key,” he says.

You can find more information about the symptoms and treatments for allergic rhinitis at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (www.aaaai.org), or the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (www.acaai.org).

The post How to Find Relief from Fall Allergies and Hay Fever first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

To get the most enjoyment out of the fall months this year, venture out with your family and friends to enjoy some of these scents and sounds:

* Apple and pumpkin picking. Apple trees are heavily laden with crisp and delicious apples this time of year. Head out to an orchard to pluck the perfectly grown fruits off trees bearing your favorite variety of apples. Or take your children on a ride to a pumpkin farm. Let them run through the patch, inspecting every pumpkin for the perfect carving medium. Tall and skinny for a witch’s face or round and plump for more of a clown face.

* Celebrate your favorite sport, family activity or just tailgate at any outdoor setting with finger foods that are quick cooking and easy-to-pack. Save on the utensils and use Old London Melba Snacks as the key ingredient to add any topper or perfect scoop for dip.

* Participate in a good cause. Fall is an excellent time to direct your energies and donations toward nonprofit organizations and charities. For example, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and you can participate in a fundraiser for any breast cancer organization or donate funds during this special month. Old London is helping to find a cure by donating $0.75 to Breast Cancer research for each proof of purchase from any Old London product received through Feb. 6, 2012. Enter the UPC at oldlondonfoods.com.

* Get lost in a corn maze. Fall is the perfect time for long walks because temperatures aren’t overbearingly hot and the humidity levels are much more tolerable. Dress appropriately for the cooler weather and see what fun you can have getting lost in a corn maze, or while taking an autumn nature hike.

* Feed the autumnal appetite. All of fall’s exciting activities will leave members of your family feeling voracious. Satisfy their hunger – and create a delicious smell in your house – with a fall favorite of Apple Pan Strudel with Dried Cherry Puree, which brings together classic fall flavors and spices in one delicious dessert.

Apple Pan Strudel with Dried Cherry Puree
Ingredients:
For cherry puree
1 cup dried cherries
1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons kirsch (clear cherry brandy)

For pan strudel
3 cups 100 percent apple juice
1 box of Old London Melba Toast Salt Free Whole Grain
2 pounds various apple varieties (such as Braeburn, Granny Smith and Fuji), peeled, cored, sliced thin in a food processor
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:
For cherry puree
Combine cherries and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, and then simmer two minutes. Stir in kirsch (clear cherry brandy). Cool to lukewarm and puree in a blender.

For pan Strudel
In a small bowl, mix sugar and spices, set aside. Mix apple and lemon juice in medium bowl. Add sugar spice mixture and toss to coat. Lay the Melba Toast in a single layer on a cookie sheet, and pour two cups of apple juice over each toast, allowing toasts to soak up the juice. In a separate 8×8 pan, cover the pan with a thin layer of apples. Using a spatula, lift the toast from the cookie sheet and place a single layer over the apples in the 8×8 pan. Repeat until layering process until done. Finish by spreading cherry puree over apples. Cover with one cup of apple juice poured evenly over finished pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Garnish with light whipped cream if desired.

The fall months are a perfect time to enjoy spending time with family and getting outside to enjoy the final warm days of the year. For additional recipes, visit Old London on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OldLondonFoods.

The post Fun Activities to Enjoy in the Cool Fall Months first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Some of nature’s most nutritious greens and veggies thrive in cooler temperatures. Planting them now, at summer’s end, can ensure a bountiful fall harvest. Plus you’ll save a bundle by avoiding the produce aisle in your grocery store for a few more months.

The sunny, cooler weather of autumn is perfect for many vegetables. With increased rainfall and temperatures ranging between 60 and 80 degrees in the day and higher than 40 at night, your plants suffer less, increasing your likelihood of good harvest. You can even cope with frost; some hardy vegetables can thrive without frost protection, and covering less resistant plants when frost threatens can keep them thriving.

The secrets of successful fall planting don’t differ much from the techniques you’ve used during high season. Cool crops will need at least six hours of sun daily, ample water and a steady supply of much-needed nutrients. You can get a jump-start by planting transplants. Seed germination of cool crops during late summer requires much attention to detail. Transplants are a quicker, easier route to ensure success.

Bonnie Plants, the largest producer of vegetables and herbs in North America, offers some quick tips for picking the right plants for your fall garden:

* Choose fast-growing, leafy cool crops like broccoli, Swiss chard, lettuce, kale, spinach, collards and arugula. Leafy vegetables are actually harder to grow in the summer, when the heat can cause them to “bolt,” forming flowers and seeds. Bolting leaves edible portions tasting bitter. You could choose to plant two rounds of these vegetables, in spring and again in late summer.

* Don’t delay. The ideal time to plant your fall crops is before the end of August, although if you missed that window, it doesn’t mean you can’t still have a successful fall harvest. It just might take more time and ingenuity.

* Pick a place. Your existing garden is the perfect place to plant cool weather crops. Remember, frost flows downhill like water, so spots at the top of a slope or in south-facing locations will remain warmest.

* You can also plant your fall crops in raised beds, which are easy to cover when frost threatens, or in pots that can be brought inside when temperatures dip too low.

* Know how they grow. Pay close attention to “days to maturity” information listed on plant tags. You’ll want to give plants enough time to produce before killing frost arrives.

* Good gardening practices will get your fall garden growing. Loosen soil before you plant and mix in some all-natural fertilizer, like Bonnie Plants Herb and Vegetable Plant Food. Made from soybean oilseed extract, this food contains 150,000 nutritional and vital organic compounds including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins, enzymes, plant hormones and carbohydrates, it’s an excellent source of nutrition in home gardens.

Consider these popular plants from Bonnie,

Packman Broccoli – This hardy vegetable develops best during the cool season. It matures in 45 to 55 days and has large, bright green, mildly flavored domed heads. Plant transplants 18 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart.

Top Bunch Collards – This hybrid is heavy yielding, early maturing, and more uniform than traditional varieties. The leaves are upright, broad, and a beautiful, waxy, deep green. These collards grow best in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. Like all collards, they are rich in vitamins and sweetened by frost. Space transplants 36 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart.

Spinach – A cool-weather vegetable related to beets and Swiss chard, Bonnie’s Spinach is a fast-growing plant. It yields many leaves in a short time in fall. Although it prefers full sun, spinach is one of the few vegetables that produce a respectable harvest in partial shade.

With some advanced planning, active attention, and the right choice of plants, you can continue to enjoy your garden and fresh, flavorful produce, long after the dog days of summer are done. To learn more about cool season varieties and helpful hints on getting your garden growing, visit www.bonnieplants.com.

The post Play it Cool in your Fall Garden and you'll be Good to Grow first appeared on The How Do Gardener.