Gardening News and Tips

Mantis makes it easy to create a bountiful garden, and a beautiful yard!  Whether you’re breaking new ground for a first-time garden, or getting an existing garden ready for planting, the Mantis Tiller will make it easy and fun!

It's fall! Here are a few tips for getting ready for the fall and winter gardening season:

October:

	Gather up any remaining summer produce from your garden.
	Start your fall compost! Looking for something to do with all those fallen leaves? Try composting them! Gather your leaves, do a once over with your mower, and add to the Mantis Compost-Twin. You can also let the leaves sit in your garden during the winter and till them into your soil in the spring with the Mantis Tiller, for a great fertilizer!
	Towards the end of the month, begin to clean and store your garden tools for the winter. There is no better way to store your Mantis Tiller and attachments for the winter months, than with the Tiller Storage Rack!

November:

	Fall is the perfect time to start planting spring flowering bulbs, trees, shrubs, and perennials!
	Adding mulch or compost to your plants will help keep them warm in the winter and protect them from the constant freezing and thawing during the winter months.
	Foliage can make great wreaths or centerpieces. Fallen leaves can also make for great arts and crafts projects!
	Enjoy the fall foliage!

December:

	Cut back any diseased or dying branches and shrubs.
	For the areas that get snow and / or heavy snow, knock snow mounds off trees and shrubs to prevent the branches from breaking.
	December is also an ideal time to send for new seed catalogs. Also begin deciding on what you want to plant for the spring and summer.

Great Gifts for Gardeners It's not too early to think about Holiday gift giving. Let Mantis help you with your shopping! We've got lots of handy items for the yard and garden. And, if you don't yet own a Mantis Tiller why not treat yourself to one right now!

Create a Habitat for Wildlife

In certain areas it can be cold and nasty during the fall and winter months, so don't forget about the wildlife that may be looking to escape. Creating a habitat for wildlife around you will ensure certain necessities that may be scarce during this time.

You must first decide on what wildlife you would like to attract from your native region. Here are some "must-haves" when creating a habitat in your own backyard:

	Shelter - Everyone needs a place to get out of the weather and raise their young. This could be anything from a hand-made bird house, to a wooded or shrubby area, to a water element such as a pond or lake.
	Food - Who doesn't need food? Bird feeders are perfect for your feathered friends. For others, trees and shrubs which produce nuts or berries will do the trick.
	Water - Particularly important in colder regions due to the freezing of natural lakes and ponds. You can go as big or small with your water element, but be sure to keep it clean and replenished.