Plant bare root, balled and burlapped, balled and potted, and container-grown deciduous and narrowleaf evergreen ornamental plants. Bare root plants should be dormant.

Transplanting

Dig plants that were root pruned in the spring. Deciduous plants may be moved bare root, but narrowleaf evergreens should be moved balled and burlapped or balled and potted. Plants that are to be transplanted in the spring should be root pruned now.

Pruning

Head back herbaceous perennial stems after the tops die.

Fertilizing

Fall is the best time to broadcast fertilizer around ornamental landscape plants. Roots are actively growing and absorbing nutrients to support spring growth.

Watering

Irrigate newly planted ornamentals any time there is less than 1 inch of weekly rainfall and plants are actively growing. Apply water at the rate or 1 quart per square foot of planting area on poorly drained soils. On well-drained soils, use a half-gallon of water per square foot. Be sure to maintain adequate soil moisture this month to aid good root growth prior to winter dormancy.

Plant protection

For newly planted ornamentals, you may apply a pre-emergence herbicide before spreading a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch over the soil in the bed or around trees. Rodent tree trunk guards, mulch, rose cones and fabric wind screens should be put in place around evergreens before the average daily temperatures are below freezing.

Pest control

Warning! Not all formulations of all recommended pesticides are labeled for all suggested uses. Buy formulations that are labeled for the specific pest problem. Follow all pesticide label directions and precautions.

When a particular pest becomes active depends on the weather conditions in your area. The pest management guide gives general guidelines for a broad geographic area. Depending on your location, a particular pest may appear early or late within the month(s) in which the pest is listed.