Fall Fertilization and Pest Management: Why It Matters

September 25, 2024

As the leaves change and temperatures drop, many homeowners overlook an essential part of lawn and garden care: fall fertilization and pest management. Here’s why this seasonal maintenance is crucial for the health and vitality of your plants.

1. Strengthens Root Systems

Fall is the perfect time for fertilization because it encourages strong root development. A well-nourished root system helps plants store energy for the winter, leading to more vigorous growth come spring. Applying a microbial based fertilizer in the fall provides nutrients that support roots while minimizing growth above ground, which is ideal as plants prepare for dormancy.

2. Prepares for Winter

Fertilizing in the fall helps plants prepare for the harsh winter months. Nutrients like potassium enhance cold tolerance, making your plants more resilient against freezing temperatures. This preparation reduces the risk of winter damage and ensures a healthier start when the growing season returns. Consult with an Urban Forest Expert to see what your trees need to thrive.

3. Reduces Pest Populations

Fall is also a critical time for managing pests and diseases. Many insects, like grubs and aphids, are active in the cooler months and can cause significant damage if left unchecked. Applying insecticides or using natural pest control methods can help reduce their populations before they settle in for winter. Additionally, several lay eggs and overwinter during these months. It is a crucial time to get a pest population under control through eradicating eggs, overwintered or dormant insects, and more.

4. Disease Prevention

Certain diseases thrive in the fall, particularly fungal infections. By applying appropriate materials, you can protect your plants from these threats. Healthy plants with strong root systems are also less susceptible to disease, creating a double defense against potential outbreaks.

5. Improves Soil Health

Fall fertilization often involves adding organic matter, such as compost or liquid solutions, which enriches the soil. Healthy soil promotes beneficial microorganisms that enhance nutrient availability, improve drainage, and support overall plant health. This sets the stage for a thriving landscape in the spring.

6. Saves Time and Money

Investing in fall fertilization and pest control can save you time and money in the long run. Healthier plants are less likely to require extensive care and treatments in the spring, and preventing pest infestations can save costly damage repairs.

Conclusion

Fall is more than just a season of beautiful foliage; it’s a crucial time for preparing your garden and lawn for the future. By prioritizing fertilization and pest management now, you can ensure a vibrant and healthy landscape that thrives in the spring. Don’t wait—take action this fall to set your plants up for success!

TreeLife Investigators: Vol. 1 – Tree Root Traffic Jam

April 11, 2025
There are many forms of investigation in the professional world. Everyone has seen movies with crime scene investigations or read stories derived from investigative journalism. Many people know firsthand about the investigation that occurs when a doctor evaluates a patient. More recently, there are the computer technicians who investigate computer problems. But most people don’t know about the investigation that occurs daily in the little-known world of arboriculture. This story is about a TreeLife Investigator who was recently called out to a 'tree crime' scene. Most people would be surprised to learn that tree investigations occur regularly in many communities across the country. This story begins with a population of bottle trees (Brachychiton populneus), planted in a homeowner association parkway ten years ago, that were showing varying degrees of health decline. The management company representing the community’s board of directors wanted to know what was wrong with the trees, and they contacted TreeLife to solve the problem. An Investigator with TreeLife assessed the population of trees shortly thereafter and observed signs of secondary disorders in most of the trees. Many tree crowns appeared opaque, while others looked sparsely foliated. Leaf size was stunted on some specimens, and leaf tips were distorted and necrotic in others. The Investigator noted that all of the bottle trees had three or four “breather tubes” (aka “root aeration tubes”) placed within one foot of each trunk. The tubes were arranged in a non-uniform, non-symmetric pattern. Often sold as beneficials, “breather tubes” were known to be ineffective and generally harmful. They don’t improve soil aeration or water distribution as advertised, instead they usually lead to root and trunk damage. The TreeLife Investigator talked with a landscape maintenance account manager, familiar with the community, about the performance history of the trees. Purportedly their crowns would recover from the aforementioned secondary disorders each year only to decline or defoliate again.

Pest Notes, Vol. 1 – Pests are Secondary

February 14, 2025
Do insects and pathogens wake up in the morning, get their coffee and ponder on a balcony: “What do I feel like eating today?!” No. Quite the contrary. Trees and plants alike attract insects and disease when they are stressed in some form or fashion. Insects are electromagnetic in many ways, and pick up on vibrations present in odorants exuded by plants and other things in the environment. Disease only proliferates when conditions permit. In fact, pathogens can lay dormant in soil or debris, and are “activated” when stress provides an opportunity. Excluding invasive species, insects and pathogens are largely opportunistic, meaning they attack plants and trees that are providing an “opportunity” for them to host. Without some stress factor causing insect-attracting odorants to exude, opportunistic pests are generally uninterested in healthy trees. Moreover, pests do not “choose” their host; it is an electromagnetic phenomenon or symbiotic relationship between plant and pest. Plants and trees have been dealing with pests like fungi, bacteria and insects for millennia; and they have developed relationships of mutual sustenance, sometimes to the detriment of one or the other. Factors that TreeLife CA representatives consider when surveying any given set of trees are:
More Posts