Forsythia
Those brilliant yellow flowers that announce the arrival of spring are another classic example of blooms produced on old wood.
By fall, next year’s flower buds have already formed.
A neat-looking October pruning could result in a much less impressive display the following spring.
Best time to prune: Soon after flowering.
The same basic rule applies to many spring-flowering shrubs: enjoy the flowers first, prune afterward.
Are you really finished raking for the year—or will the trees cover your lawn again next week? Here’s when to expect your final major leaf cleanup in every state, plus why you shouldn’t rake too early.
The autumn equinox arrives on September 22, 2026, at 8:05 p.m. EDT—but day and night won’t actually be exactly equal. Here’s why atmospheric refraction, the size of the Sun, and your location make the equinox a little more complicated than its name suggests.
Should I leave fallen leaves on my lawn? Learn when leaves help your grass and soil, when they can smother turf, and what to do with them this fall.
Have you noticed it yet? Step outside on a September morning and the air somehow smells different. Cooler. Earthier. Woodier….
When is it finally time to put the mower away? The answer depends on your grass, temperatures, and location. See when mowing typically ends in every state—and the simple sign that tells you your lawn is done growing.
The calendar says fall begins on one date. Meteorologists say another. But trees, birds, butterflies, and frost may tell an entirely different story. Here are the three ways autumn really begins—and how to tell when fall has arrived where you live.
Have you noticed your lawn suddenly soaking wet every September morning even though it hasn’t rained? Longer nights, cooler temperatures, and lingering late-summer moisture create ideal conditions for heavy morning dew.
Does the night sky suddenly look brighter? September’s earlier darkness, changing weather, Moon phase, and improving atmospheric transparency can reveal stars that were hiding in plain sight all summer.
That crisp September morning followed by an 80-degree afternoon isn’t unusual. Here’s why fall often arrives overnight before it shows up during the day.
