Marriott-Slaterville City History October 2014 Marriott-Slaterville Monthly History October 2014 October saw warm, sunny days with very little precipitation; very different from August and September. The fall clean-up was scheduled for October 18 and 19 with dumpsters located at the Marriott and Slaterville Parks. This is a complimentary service provided by the City. The annual Halloween Trunk-or-Treat was held at the Slaterville Park on Friday, October 31st. It was a success, but we saw a drop in the number of people attending from years past. • Set-up started at 4:30 pm with treats beginning at 6:00 pm • Participants with candy to distribute received free entry • Entry was $1 per person, without candy • A hot dog, donut and a drink were available for $1 • Prizes were given for the best carved pumpkin, costume, and decorated trunk. • This event was primarily for residents and their extended families Winter is coming and it's time to weatherize for winter. The Farmer's Almanac forecasts this winter to be above normal snowfall and cold. All city parks were closed for reservations on October 15th and will reopen April 15th. The pressurized irrigation system was shut down and weatherized the first part of October. Residents need to weatherize their individual irrigation systems as well. Autumn provides optimum weather and ample opportunity to garden. Its harvest time and the cooler temperatures and fall conditions can actually make gardening easier and more enjoyable. Fall is a great time to plant bulbs for blossoms next spring. It's also a good time to pull weeds before they go to seed. Fluff any compacted soil with a garden fork or tiller. Adding a 2-inch layer of bagged compost or a balanced, natural fertilizer can give plants a boost come spring. Be prepared for frost. Keep materials on hand to protect plants when frost threatens, such as floating row covers or a cold frame. On frosty, cold nights, move container plants to a protected spot. This is also the time of year to deep soak trees, especially new trees, to a depth of 10-12", unless there is 1-2" of good soaking rain. This will prepare the trees for the winter. If you expect a colder winter consider wrapping specialty trees so they don't split. It's also a good time to prune as temperatures cool. Prune for structure, as well as to remove any dead or diseased branches. Happy autumn gardening!