Fall
has arrived suddenly on the heels of a cool, wet summer. Now, of course, we all are ready to jump back
in with both feet and hope our plants have dried out! Autumn is an excellent time of year to plant
virtually anything. The ground is nice
and warm, summer heat and sudden thunderstorms are over, and the humidity is
lower (which definitely makes work easier on us humans!). Plants do not have active top growth this
time of year, so most of their energy is concentrated on root growth, meaning
plants still have plenty of time to get their feet settled in well and to
prepare for winter.
So,
is anything blooming this time of year?
Of course! Look past the usual
petunias and geraniums and think perennials, and you have a plethora of choices
to extend the season. Mums and pansies
have just arrived and come in many color choices. Flowering kales and cabbage and ornamental
grasses in full plumage add texture.
Solidago (goldenrod) is brilliant yellow, and more good choices are
sedums, asters, dianthus and dusty miller.
Don’t forget evergreen shrubs and trees for year-round interest. Fall-blooming Camellia sasanqua have small
rose-like blooms. Add evergreens such as
hollies, junipers, cedars, cypress and euonymous, which come in varieties,
shapes and colors too numerous to mention.
These beautiful plants will also add backbone and dimension to a
yard. Of course, October is also a fun
time for decorating a home with minimal effort, whether it be pumpkins, bales
of hay and cornstalks, or scarecrows, witches and ghosts for kids of all ages!
Spring-blooming
bulbs such as colorful tulips, daffodils (deer-resistant!), crocus and alliums
are available for planting now. Don’t
forget a scoop of bonemeal in the planting hole for healthy bulbs. Bulb planters are inexpensive and make the
job much easier. Cold season vegetables
such as collards, lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower, and root crops such as
carrots (harvest after first frost will sweeten them), onions, and turnips will
continue feeding the family on into the winter.
How wonderful to live in the South when we can don a jacket and still
pick our supper right out of the garden!
Always
remember now is the time for dividing perennials while they are going dormant,
and putting your garden to bed for the winter.
Clean up garden debris such as dead annuals and leaves, cut back
perennials and add to the compost pile.
You can make your own “brown gold” for free! Put pottery inside a garage or shed to avoid
cracking. Mulch when winter sets in to
avoid critters and unwanted pests from finding a new home. Only prune shrubs to remove dead wood because
hard pruning encourages new growth for winter kill. Only use organic fertilizers this time of
year such as compost and manure (no chemicals) for the same reason. First frost is usually in October, so bring
in those houseplants, prune them if needed, and spray an organic pesticide so
there are no unwanted six- or eight-legged stowaways. Put them in a bright window and don’t
overwater them.
Never
forget the fine feathered friends who love to stay in our yard year-round. Pick up some feeders, seed, birdhouses and
suet cakes, but remember to keep them filled.
You can make even a small yard a sanctuary for these beautiful creatures
and they will grace you with their beauty and song for years to come. For added fun, pick up a twirling squirrel
feeders and add dried corn cobs. The
little furry guys are natural acrobats and are hilarious to watch, and it may
keep them off your bird feeders!
Your
local garden center can offer a wealth of information, suggestions and helpful
hints for the beginner or experienced gardener.
We are always here to help you make your home sweet home the showplace
of your neighborhood!
Dawn
Leith
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