All of a sudden its fall! Scarlet, yellow and orange leaves glow in the late afternoon sun and the air is kind of cool and warm at the same time.

It is a great time to get out in the garden before the yucky cold weather and hard rains.

Here are a few things to take care of before all that:

*Clean off the roof and clear the gutters.

*Trim back long branches and excess growth in trees and large shrubs to let the air move through and to give them a good shape. Trim leggy and spent blooms on perennials.

*Rake up falling leaves so the snails don’t make a home in them and have lots of eggs.

*Spread slow release fertilizer for the rains to wash into the garden. ‘Osmocote’ is a good brand.

*Turn down or off the irrigation controller as the rains pick up.

*Pick up fallen fruit and any fruit still hanging on the trees that are over ripe to avoid disease problems.

*Check areas in garden where water can collect i.e. cans, pots or carts and turn over.

*Store cushions, umbrellas and outdoor decor that can be damaged in the storms.

*Check drainage points and clear inground drain outlets, that have collected debris and leaves.

Well, that sounds like quite enough to do. I forgot to list- sit in a lounge chair and have a nice warm beverage!

Happy fall- it looks like it will be a great one.