Seal the fertilizer bag—it is time to stop feeding plants in our landscapes. The days are getting shorter and our landscapes are beginning a period of transition. The explosive growth of spring and summer is over. Plants need to start preparing for winter.

Trees, shrubs, roses and perennials should not be fertilized now. We do not want to stimulate new growth. This growth would be succulent in fall and subject to injury over winter. Instead, allow these plants to harden off.

We’ll open the fertilizer bag again in late fall when it’s time to feed the lawn.

Written by Tom Kalb, Extension Horticulturist, North Dakota State University. Published in the NDSU Yard & Garden Report, August 11, 2014. The photo was made available under a Creative Commons license specified by the photographer: Lotte Gronkjaer.