Now that your gardens have passed their peaks and your harvests are coming to an end it is time to think about next years’ plantings. You may wonder “Why should I thing about next year?” Well. The best gardens are the result of long-term planning. Fall gardening activities include soil preparation, planting and mulching.
Fall plantings of bulbs, trees and shrubs can make for a beautiful spring. Bulbs such as tulips, crocus, hyacinths and daffodils need to be planted in late-October to November. This is done in order for the bulbs to go through a cold period to promote blooming in the spring. Hate that ugly yellowing leaves of your daffodil and tulip foliage – when you plant your bulbs in the fall, simply interplant all the bulbs with perennial flowers. Fall interplanting is an easy project that makes your spring and summer garden look great.
Trees and shrubs can be planted from September through November before the ground freezes. Like in spring, fall is a good time for planting trees and shrubs because they are less likely to go through heat and drought stress. In winter, roots of trees and shrubs can be protected by mulching. Also flower bulbs, asparagus roots, rhubarb and other perennials also appreciate a blanket of mulch to keep them warm through the winter months. Mulch should be 2-4 inches deep. A variety of materials can be used, such as compost, straw. Leaves, wood chips and grass clippings.
We tend to forget our gardens after gardens after the harvests are over. However, by caring for our landscapes now, they will reward us during the growing season with beautiful flowers and delicious garden vegetables. Gardening is an enjoyable and relaxing activity. Even after the harvests we can still spend time outside improving our landscapes.
Things to do this month:
Dig and store non-hardy summer flowering bulbs (cannas, dahlias, gladiolas). After digging, let them sit in a warm place to dry. Then store them in a dry, cool location.
Divide daylilies, irises, astilbles, peonies and other spring flowering perennials.
Seed Lawns no later than October 15th.
Things to look for this month:
Older needles on white pines turning yellow and dropping, a normal seasonal occurrence.
Control Hemlock Woolly Adelgid on hemlocks and other types of pines with soaps or oils.
Check for fall invaders, make sure you seal entry points and remove trash and other materials near your home where they can overwinter.
