2016 Landscape Trends

Every year brings new ideas and different trends. This year the landscape trends, according to the Landscape Insider, are a mix of savvy technology and natural characteristics. Below I talk about 3 of my favorite.

One of my favorite trends and number 1 on their list are fully customized outdoor living spaces. Landscapes used to consist of patios, decks, plants, paths, and other characteristically outdoor things. Now outdoor spaces are becoming extensions of our interior spaces. Our landscapes now have full service kitchens, couches, & fireplaces. When you are in one of these creatively designed spaces you get all the amenities & comfort of being indoors with the beauty of the outdoors. Another great thing about these outdoor living spaces is that you can personalize them to make them your own. You can add themes, make a game room, or add a space to practice yoga. Whether you have a large yard or small patio, you can create an outdoor living space perfect for you.

Another trend hitting big right now is lighting and technology in the landscape. Whether you like the subtlety of twinkling lights from your tree and along your walkways or the extravagance of a flat screen TV on your patio, there is a high tech trend sure to fit you. Are you a music lover? Install speakers throughout your yard. Do you love the ambiance of romantic lighting? Hang a chandelier under your deck. There are so many ways you can add tech to your landscape.

The third trend I really think has an important place in todays landscape is the desire for edible landscapes and container gardening. There is something almost magical about being able to go into your yard and pick a fresh vegetable or fruit. I think an issue that a lot of people face is the lack of space or time to grow a big garden but the great thing about a lot of produce is that it can be grown in a container or a small space. You can grow tomatoes alone in a container or mix your herbs, fruits and vegetables with flowers that require similar growing conditions. You can have a lot of fun with this. Throw away the old school thought that all your plants need to be separated by their use and create unique planters that consist of herbs, annuals, and vegetables.

No matter what trend attracts you, have fun with it and make it your own. To add these trends doesn't have to be a huge ordeal. Add a few things at a time and eventually you will have a landscape you love. If you are ready for a full redo of your yard and would like some help contact our designer Joe and schedule a consultation. Go to our landscape page for details.

'Tis the Season of the Christmas Tree

Tis the season of Christmas trees and greenery. Most of us probably don't think about what the origins of the Christmas trees, boughs, and wreaths that we decorate our homes are. These evergreens have an interesting background. Long before Christmas and the advent of Christianity, plants that remained green all year were believed to keep away witches, ghosts, illness, and evil spirits. Evergreens were also displayed during the winter solstice to remind everyone that green plants would grow again and the sun god would become strong once again. Early Romans decorated their homes with evergreen boughs during the solstice to mark the coming of farm production, the Vikings thought that evergreens where the special plant of the sun god. Across all cultures evergreens represented light and new beginning. Germany is credited with the Christmas tree tradition as we know it. Christians brought decorated trees into their homes to celebrate Christmas. It is said that 16th century Protestant reformer Martin Luther was walking home one evening and saw the stars twinkling amidst the evergreens and wanted to recreate that beauty for his family so he adorned the branches of his tree with lighted candles, hence the beginning of lighting the tree. German settlers brought the Christmas tree tradition to the US with little acceptance from the Puritans, seeing it as a Pagan symbol. In the 1600's most Christmas traditions we know today such as the Christmas tree, decorated front doors, candles, and Christmas carols were considered offensive. It even went as far as people were fined for having any Christmas decorations. However, the influx of German and Irish immigrants soon overpowered the Puritan ways and by the 1890's Christmas decorations were arriving from Europe and Christmas tree popularity was soaring. The most famous tree in the US, the Rockefeller Center tree was set up by construction workers during the depression to bring cheer to passerby's. Today the Rockefeller tree is a staple of the Holiday season.

www.history.com

Today Christmas trees adorn houses all over the country. Here are a few facts about Christmas trees today.

• There are 350 million real christmas trees currently growing in Christmas tree farms in the US alone, all planted by farmers.
• There are more then 4000 Christmas tree recycling programs in the US.
• The average growing time for a 6-7 foot Christmas tree is 7 years.
• The top tree producing state is Oregon.
• There are 25-35 million Christmas trees sold in the US every year.

realchristmastrees.org

No matter the history of the tree today we make them our own. Whether it is a traditional Frasier Fir with classic ornaments or a bright blue tree full of flair they represent our style, our family traditions, and the Christmas spirit.

Spruce Tip Pot Decorating

It has been a beautiful fall with lots of color and sunshine. The leaves are falling off the trees and the breeze is getting cooler which means that the planting season is coming to a close. Don't let that get you down. Your front porch does not need to go bare. It is the season of the Spruce tip pot. There are so many creative ways to decorate your pot. You can keep it simple with dogwood and berries or really bling it up with sparkles, ornaments, and bright Holiday decor. You can decorate them for Thanksgiving, then change it up for the Christmas and the Holiday season. If you are not feeling creative you can come on in and get one of our custom pots that fits your style. If you need a little inspiration to get you going Pinterest is always a great tool. If you have never decorated with a Spruce tip pot now is the year to try it. I promise, you will love the color and style it will bring you your front porch.

Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery in a Nutshell

Lynde Greenhouse and Nursery is a 5 generation family business built and run with passion. Ed Lynde and his son Derek Lynde run the business together. Today we have a garden center, a landscape division, a wholesale department, and a commercial design and installation crew.

Our landscape designer Joe Annis was voted the best landscape designer in Maple Grove this year. Joe and his crew consistently design creative and sustainable landscapes for Maple Grove and its surrounding suburbs.

Our Garden Center carries high quality and unique product. We have a knowledgable staff with years of expertise! Whether you are looking for a few plants for your front porch or trees, shrubs, and perennials to re-do your yard we have what you need.

Our wholesale department sells to big and small retailers, grocery stores, and garden centers. We also have fundraising programs for community organizations, sports teams, and schools. We have a spring and a winter program that both offer huge selections of plants and combinations. It is a great way to raise money for any organization.

If you have walked around Arbor Lakes, The Shoppes, Main Street, Maple Grove Hospital, Woodbury Lakes, or Excelsior and Grand you have seen our commercial design. Kelsey Ness, Our lead commercial designer works with each location to create designs unique to each location.

Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery have an amazing staff that works hard everyday. From the landscape crew, from the Garden Center staff, to the greenhouse workers and the office staff, everyone plays a crucial role in the functioning of the company.

Fall Planter Ideas!

Just because fall is coming that does not mean that it is time to throw in the shovel on your outdoor planters. Fall is an amazing time to transform your front porch into a brightly colored, pumpkin filled,   festive display. I personally think fall displays are the best of the year. You have pumpkins, gourds, hay bales, colorful annuals, scarecrows, grasses, & and mums. When you get to October add your Halloween decorations within the planters. Use lights and carved pumpkins to illuminate your design. There are just so many opportunities to be creative and unique. Here are some of my favorite ideas:

The Succulent Pumpkin:

Carve out a real pumpkin or use a pumpkin planter and put succulents inside of it. It is a twist on the usual fall plants and is the perfect centerpiece for a party or a great gift for a friend.

The pumpkin lined garden bed:

Use small pumpkins as the first layer in your garden bed. Add mums or another colorful annual behind it and finish the layers with some annual grasses. It is a beautiful way to line a sidewalk or do a smaller scale version around your mailbox. 

Illuminate:

Add solar light or battery operated lights to your fall planters. Our garden center has ceramic globes in 3 different sizes in beautiful fall colors. These would be perfect to arrange in the front of your planter with mums, zinnias, grasses, and kale. They look amazing in the daylight as well as the nighttime. It is also fun to have pumpkin or seasonal themed lights as well. Work them within your design so the entire planter flows. I like when there is a subtle glow that illuminates the planter. With it getting darker earlier it is always nice to have little glow.

Vertical mums:
Vertical gardening has really taken off this year. Keep it going with a wall of mums. Hang planters on a fence,  from your deck or even your trees. Mums are great because they are relatively cheap, are full, and add fast bright color.

There are so many ways to create a fall paradise. The best part about fall plants is that they are cheap. The season isn't as long as summer but you get beautiful full planters for a fraction of the cost of your summer planters. And really if you start them now, because we all know our summer planters are starting to look a little under the weather, you will have over 2 months to enjoy them before you transition them into your spruce tip pots:)

Beyond the Garden Center

Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery goes well beyond our retail Garden Center. We sell wholesale to businesses, have a landscape design & installation team, as well as design and install on commercial properties.

Our wholesale customers range from small retail owners to big companies. We wholesale plants for every season all around the state.

Our landscape designer Joe Annis was voted "Best Landscape Designer" at the 2015 Best of Maple Grove Awards. From small projects to big he is your go to designer. Our landscape team has designed and installed retaining walls, fire pits, paver patios, flower beds, garden plots, water features, and so much more. Whatever your landscape aspirations we will be there from the initial concept all the way through the final product. We will work with you to design a product that is creative, unique, functional, and personal.

Kelsey Ness heads up our commercial design. Our commercial sites include The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, Maple Grove Hospital, Excelsior & Grand, Woodbury Lakes, just to name a few. Most of these sites do summer and winter decor and a few do summer, winter, spring, and fall. The spring designs consist mostly of pansies, curly willow, and dogwood. The spring season for flowers is a short one so not many sites choose to do this. The summer planting options are endless. We work with a lot of petunias because they are durable, colorful, and hardy. We use Begonias, Coleus, and Impatiens for shady areas. Grasses and Canna Lilies add height and layers. We like to use blocks of color for impact and visibility. Our hanging baskets are exceptional. We start them early in the season in our greenhouses so they are full and vibrant when it is time to hang them. Fall, like spring is a short season so only a select few locations choose to do it. I personally love fall. From colorful mums, purple kale, to bright zinnias fall planters have so much to offer. The winter season brings out the spruce tips, birch, winter greens, and bling! We also string lights in tress as well as light wreaths and spruce tip pots.

Whether it is our Garden Center, Wholesale Department, Landscape Design, or Commercial Design we take pride in our product and are passionate about what we do.

The Dog Days of Summer

It's been awhile since our last post. We had a beautiful early spring and have had a warm sunny summer so far. We are now into what some call "the dog days of summer".  Some of your plants look great and others look a little weary and wind blown. It is kind of a tricky time of year because we still have a lot of summer left but some of our plants and flowers don't look so hot. This is the perfect time to start working in some fall annuals. If you have a planter with a couple tired looking plants take them out and replace them with a rudbeckia or flowering kale. Mums are always an option too but just know that if you put your mums out now you will probably be replacing them a couple times before fall is over. Mums bloom only once and in this warm weather they will open pretty quickly and bloom for a shorter period of time then they would in the cooler weather. Fall combinations are on their way but in my opinion just wait a little longer. Give your summer flowers the life they deserve.

Should I plant yet?

Minnesota springs can be tough. One day it is beautiful and the next day it feels like December. It is so easy to want to plant that first nice weekend. A lot of stores will have their flowers out and for sale. That does not mean you should plant them yet. Retailers know that when the sun comes out and the weather gets a little warm we get anxious. Don't fall into that trap. The cardinal rule is wait until Mother's Day weekend and even then you are not always in the clear. Here are some tips to get you going. Plant cool weather plants to get you started. Use pansies, snapdragons, violas, and regal geraniums. Look at the 10 day forecast, that can help you plan accordingly. If you do plant, cover your pots during cool nights. In the end just be patient. The time will come, even though sometimes it feels like it never will.

Easter Gifts

Easter is almost here. Finding that perfect hosts gift can be tricky. We've got you covered. There are so many creative ideas out there. Some may be too expensive or some could be beyond your creative comfort zone. I am going to give you some ideas that are easy, affordable, and adorable. Your hosts will already have their table set with decorations, flowers, and bunny napkin holders. The goal for a hosts gift is to give them something they will want to use after everyone has left. Something for them personally. Fresh cut flowers are always a nice gesture but get creative with them. Tulips and lilies are beautiful and I always want to give them as a gift because I am a firm believer that you should have fresh flowers in your home year round. The trick is not making the flowers the gift. Make what you give the flowers in the gift. That way they can use it over and over. Give something different and unique. Everyone has a glass vase. One idea is giving your flowers in a moss purse or moss cowboy boots, yes cowboy boots. You will have to find some sort of vase or container that fits in the purse etc but once you do that it is so easy and fun.

Another idea is a hanging terrarium. You are seeing these all over pinterest and for good reason. They are adorable. You can make them with dirt, a little moss, and small houseplants or succulents. You can find the empty terrariums at floral shops or craft stores.  I personally buy them already made. I find by the time I get all the materials it is cheaper to buy it already made unless you are planning on making a bunch of them. We have the most adorable ones in our garden center right now.

The anticipation of spring & summer makes plants and fresh flowers so popular at Easter but don't forget about yard deco. A birdhouse, yard stake, solar lights, or chimes can spur that spring excitement just as much as plants and will be enjoyed all season! 

Whatever the gift have fun with it and don't forget to get yourself a little something in the process :) Oh, everything above we have in our Garden Center, come immerse yourself in spring!

Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery is Growing Spring!

It is 70 degrees and sunny in Lynde Greenhouse and Nursery. We have lilies waiting for easter, hydrangeas exploding in shades of pink, and annuals just popping up. We don't just put these plants in the dirt and hope they grow properly. We truly put our heart and soul into these plants. We take pride in what we grow and what we sell. Growers are pacing the isles checking the progress, watering, and pruning. We are planting everyday so our product is timed perfectly for you. This isn't just is a business it's a passion.

Winter Gardening and Decor Ideas

It is a long cold winter in Minnesota. We all get anxious for spring. We look out the window and see a color palette of white, grey, and brown. I think seasonal depression doesn't just from a lack of sun but also from a lack of color and visual stimulation. Don't get me wrong, I love a snowy landscape but weeks of clouds and grey sky takes its toll. On a day where the snow is blowing and the wind chill is 40 below we don't want to leave the comfort of our homes so my thoughts are bring the outside into your home. Not the winter outside of course but the summer outside. Fresh flowers for starters are a great and easy way to add color and life to your home. Just make sure you cover them up when they are outside, they are not a fan of the frigid air. Put them on the counter, the kitchen table, or in small individual vases around the house. Another way to bring green into your home is with fresh herbs. If you have a sunny window with an area for a small pot or a few small pots plant some herbs. Choose your favorite cooking herbs and you will always have fresh on hand. A cute way to have herbs is to hang small pots from the ceiling or attach them to the side of your cupboards in front of your kitchen window.  Remember however, if the window does not get sun the herbs will not be very happy. Succulents are another way to add color. Plant a combination of them in a pot or put a combination of small containers in an area and have a succulent collection. You can get creative with the containers by using mason jars with rocks and dirt, colorful pots, or a vintage jewelry box. Who loves fairies? A fairy garden is the perfect indoor garden. They take a little more maintenance but can be a fun winter hobby. Make them a little home with trinkets, moss, and plants. I also add color to my home with paint and decor. Paint an accent wall or piece of furniture, put up some temporary wall art, or add color to kitchen cabinets. It is amazing what a pop of color does to brighten your day.

Hand make Something this Holiday Season

So if you haven't already, take an hour or two and hand make something this holiday season. It could be a centerpiece, a wreath made of ribbon, an ornament, or a handmade tag and bow for a plant. It does take time and we all are busy but it gives our brain a rest from the craziness it usually resides in. It slows us down, gets our creativity flowing, and feels good. The best part about doing this is that you can make something unique and personal. If you really don't think you have anyone to make something for or you do not deem yourself and crafty, make yourself something. Even if it does not turn out how you were expecting it doesn't matter. It is all about the process. Get your supplies, turn on some tunes, and take your brain on a different path.

Everything You Dont Know About The Poinsettia

Time for a little history lesson. Not a boring one however, a really unique one that may be the game winning knowledge you will need in a bar trivia game. Today, December 12, is National Poinsettia Day so we are going to learn about it.


Although the poinsettia has been used in Mexico by the Aztecs to decorate churches, symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and dye clothing since the fourteenth century, it is credited to be discovered by Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett a amateur botanist and first US ambassador to Mexico. He discovered a shrub on the side of the road in Taxco, Mexico in 1828. He thought it strange because the leaves of this shrub were so brightly colored rather than having any noticeable flowers. At the time many botanists brushed the plant off as being a weed. Poinsett did not agree. He took cuttings home and continued to study and breed this plant. At this time the plant had a very short bloom time of only a couple days in the month of December. Because of the time of year it bloomed it and its rich red color it quickly became a Holiday staple. It wasn't until the 1960's the plant was bred to bloom for more then just a few days. The popularity of this plant in the United States however, is owed to the Ecke's family. In the 1900's they developed the grafting technique which made plants full and compact rather than the weedy look they took on naturally. The Ecke Family did not just grow these plants. They went on a marketing tirade across the country sending free plants to news stations to display on air and went on the Tonight Show and Bob Hope's Christmas Special's to promote this Christmas wonder! They owned this market until the 1990's when a university researcher figured out the method the Ecke family had been using and published it in the name of education for all to see. The Poinsettia is known by many names worldwide. In the language of the Aztecs it is called Cuetlaxochitl, meaning "flower that grows in residues." The Aztecs appear to be quite literal. In Mexico it is known as the Flor de Noche Buena, meaning "Christmas Eve Flower," in Chili it is called the "Crown of the Andes," and in Guatemala it is referred to as "The Flower of the Holy Night." The poinsettia has significance around the world and here is the U.S. I think it is fair to say that it represents the holiday season with class.


(Thanks to Dr. Leonard Perry from the University of Vermont and good ole' Wikipedia for all this great information.)

A little thank you...

It is amazing how much a "thank you" means to us. We as humans need to hear it. It means we are doing something right. That someone appreciates us. It is a crucial yet often times forgotten part human interaction. The holidays are a perfect time to let the people in your life know how much they mean to you. The mailman, your hairdresser, your teachers, your childcare professionals, and your coaches. It does not have to be big. It can be a handwritten note or something you have made. A gift card or a plant. Anything that shows them that they are present in your mind. It truly means a lot. And when the holidays are over keep thanking the people around you. There are so many fun, easy, and affordable ways to show a "thank you". Type in "thank you ideas" on Pinterest and you will have days of ideas. At the Garden Center we have pixie poinsettias with a mini chalkboard and apple in it for the amazing teachers out there. Know an owl lover? Create a spruce tip planter with little furry owls and pinecones. Keep it simple yet classic like a wreath with a red bow. And if you are able, hand deliver your "thank you." It just makes it better. Have fun, be creative, and make it personal.

The Perfect Tree

The Christmas season is officially here. You now can blast Mariah Carey "All I Want for Christmas" without judgement...well with less judgement. One of my favorite parts of Christmas is picking out and putting up the tree. I don't know why but there is something I just love about this. First, I am all about real trees. When I lived in an apartment we were not allowed to have real trees which I hated but I bought a pine scented candle and pretended it was real. Now that I can have a real tree it is crucial that I pick the right one. Not too tall but not too short. Not too skinny but not too fat. It needs to have strong enough branches to hold the ornaments and support my cat. All this being considered I don't want it too perfect. It needs to have character and personality. There is something to be said about the "Charley Brown Christmas Tree." After being in the Garden Center this Holiday season I have noticed that everyone has their own process of picking out the "perfect" tree. Some walk around it again and again. Some go back and forth between flocked trees and natural trees. Others pace the aisles slowly eliminating certain ones until they come to last 2. This is where it gets difficult. They are so similar yet so different. They will walk back and forth between the last 2 trees. Committing can be so hard. Finally, a decision is made! They walk up to the counter with unwavering satisfaction. Now picking out the right tree is not the end. It must be decorated. What color lights? How many ornaments. Even for those that decorate their tree the same every year there are choices. Where exactly do the ornaments go? Who gets to put which ones on? But in the end, no matter which tree we choose, how many ornaments we put on, real or artificial, we all take a few steps back tilt or head side to side, move back in for one last ornament adjustment, and then finally make that nod of approval. Enjoy this process. It is that rare time, in our busy lives, that family and friends come together and create something beautiful. Make

Small Business Saturday

It really is an amazing thing when someone has a dream, puts it into action, and commits to making it successful. That is what small business owners do everyday. They turn a dream into reality. It is so hard to compare to the "big box stores" in todays world. They have lower prices, they are open long hours, and they can offer lots and lots of products. But, if you look deeper you may fine that all these perceived deals aren't so great.  Often times these small business not only trump their competitors quality they beat their prices. They have awesome products that are not found anywhere else. To me shopping is a way to express who you are.  Whether you are buying furniture for your house, clothes to wear, or flowers for your front porch planter.  Small businesses understand this. They create products for you. They take the time to talk to their customers to find out what they are looking for. They take pride and ownership in what they are selling so they truly care about how you feel about the product.  When you shop small businesses you get original product, you support local jobs, you keep the money in your local economy, you benefit from expertise, and you make your community a destination. Small business Saturday is important but what is more important is shopping at these businesses year round. Just give it a try.  I guarantee once you experience the small business atmoshphere, you will be hooked!

Farmers Markets

There are so many reasons to buy locally grown produce at Farmers Markets.  First, it is good for your community. There are a lot of big box stores out there and I know they can be super convenient but one day, instead, check out the local farmers market.  What is really cool about Maple Grove is they have an Indoor Farmers Market for local vendors to sell at in the winter.  Second, you know where it came from.  When you buy locally the people selling it are the people know where it came from.  They know what kind of fertilizer was used, where it was grown, how long ago it was harvested.  Those are things you should want to know.  Third, it makes you feel good.  The environment of the Famers Market is really quite refreshing.  They can be crowded but you are surrounded by people that care about the environment, care about their community, and care about their health. Fresh Produce is truly amazing.  It makes life better. Pineview Produce was created to provide you with fresh produce when you can't grow it yourself.  Grown in our greenhouses from start to finish with love.  We sell it at the Maple Grove Indoor Market November through the beginning of January. If you haven't been there check it out and if you are a regular, you know what I am talking about.

Hello Winter.

Winter has arrived with a bang.  Although it can be annoying this is when your winter decorations look the best.  Whether it is your snow covered spruce tip planters or your wreaths glistening with ice droplets, it really is beautiful.  If you haven't put together your winter decor, do not fret.  You still have plenty of time, I mean it is not even Thanksgiving yet.  The porch spruce tip planter truly is an easy way to add color to this white time of year.  Fill it full of red berries or add some glitz with glitter ornaments.  Whatever you do make it your own and try to enjoy this beautiful snow fall.

Natural Holiday Decorating

In today's world it is important to try to live in a green and environmentally friendly way.  With the Holidays coming up there is a influx of environmentally  harmful decorations, however there is a way to have beautiful decorations naturally.   Here are a few tips!

*Use what people grow.  It is so important to use greens from local growers.  Not only are your supporting your community but you are using product that can be composted and reused again.

*All the spruce tips and greens should be sustainably harvested. 

*It is fairly easy to create an entire spruce tip pot that is 100% compostable.

                -Use Fiber pots.

                -Use Rice Holes or another natural soil

                - Decorate with natural products such as Winterberry, Hydrangeas, curly willow,                    Roeships, cattails and birch. 

                  (some of this can be found already dried in the ditch or along a local path.

*Decorate with birch logs, ivy, and dried plants.

*Reuse products that you can’t compost such as ribbon and bows.  If your ribbon gets wrinkly you can always iron it.

*To lengthen the life of your dried plants  spray them with aqua net or a clear lacquer

*Always compost your plant material.  When you are finished with it for the season place it outside and compost it on your own in the spring or bring it to Lynde & Mcleod Waste yard located in Maple Grove.


Not only will you feel good about green decorating you will have beautiful natural decorations that will bring life to your Holiday Season!

Fall Planting Tips

Just because the weather has turned a little cooler and we’re headed toward October doesn't mean that it is time to put away those garden gloves.  October is still the heart of harvest season.  The cooler weather and rainfall also make October a great time to be planting shrubs, trees, perennials and tackling other transplant projects. 

Cooler temperatures of October encourage plants to slow their growth cycle.  Even though the air is a bit crisp, the ground is still warm, which is a great environment for plant root development.   You should keep watering everything in your yard until we have our first hard frost, which is generally around the second or third week in October. 

Take the time now to evaluate your garden so you are ready when fall project time arrives.  How do your perennials look? Daylilies or hostas getting too big for their homes? Now is a great time to split them up.  You can repurpose them in other places in your yard or even list them on Craigslist.  People in need love free plants!  Plan a garden day with friends and swap plants, you might end up with a unique new garden to take home at the end of the day.

There is no way to get around it: for your grass to look good, you need to take care of it.  By take care of it, we mean you need to fertilize it. Not only does it make your grass a luscious green, but it is also great for the environment, when done correctly.  Healthy grass has a dense root system that holds soil, which prevents it from running off and polluting the water.  Fertilizing on or after Labor Day is the golden star of best fertilizing practices, because nearly all of the fertilizer goes right into the soil.  Check out this link to determine which how-to is best for how you take care of your lawn.  Now is also a great time to lay sod and spread grass seed.

  You can also think about planting bulbs for the spring.  Tulips, crocus, daffodils and hyacinths are great choices that will produce bold color in the spring.  Look for firm, healthy looking bulbs when you are shopping.  

On a final note, make sure that you clean up your lawn at the end of the season.  Leaving mounds of grass clippings and leaves on your yard can invite diseases.

(all images via Corbis)