Fall brings cooler air temperatures,
continued warm soil temperatures, and more consistent rainfall - the perfect
time to plant and transplant just about anything (especially trees) - and it is
easier on us gardeners too! Tree planting is the most effective when it is done
in the fall. This is because the tree roots continue to grow until the ground
freezes and will grow again in spring allowing extra time for the tree to
become established before our brutal summer weather hits. Trees should be
fertilized towards the end of October, and tree fertilizer spikes placed at
their drip line are a perfect choice. Use one tree spike per one inch of tree
trunk diameter. This will make for beautiful foliage next spring! (The diameter of the tree is a measurement
found at a cross section of the trunk 12” above the ground.)
Fall is also the best time to divide
and transplant perennial clumps. Any spring or summer blooming perennial plants
can be divided now. Make sure you prepare the area where the plants will be
transplanted using some type of organic material, like cotton burr compost. Use
compost at the rate of 1/3 compost to 2/3’s native soil for your garden projects.
Cut back spent flower heads and foliage as it starts to die back for its winter
dormant period. Leave ornamental grasses alone until early spring as their
dried foliage will add a wispy, interesting texture to your winter landscape.
Lawn seeding should be finished by
October 15 to insure germination and plant growth yet this fall. Choose a seed
mix for your specific lawn area: sun, shade, sun/shade, play, drought, etc.
Fescue mixtures are best for durability for our area. Fescue blends should be
spread at a rate of 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. on bare ground, and 2-3 lbs. per
1,000 sq. ft. on a lawn with a 50% stand of grass. Be sure to aerate and
renovate your yard when over seeding for the BEST results. Without these steps,
it is like throwing grass seed on to concrete because our soil has such high
clay content and compacts so easily.
It’s time to plan and plant for next
spring’s bulb show! Tuck bulbs into your perennial border, mingle them amongst
your ground cover, naturalize them around trees, or they can stand by themselves
in beds and planters. Plant for a succession of blooms; start with the ‘early
birds’ which include crocus and snowdrops, follow with an abundance of
narcissus and hyacinth, and finish with a flourish of tulips and irises. When planting,
fertilize with Dutch Bulb Food or Bone Meal and make planting easier by using
bulb planters or bulb augers that fit your drill. For holiday blooms, buy paperwhite
and amaryllis bulbs now to force blooms inside during the month of December.
DON ‘T take your hummingbird feeders
down before mid October. The bird’s biological clock tells them when to migrate
south. THEY ARE NOT dependent on us removing the feeders at a certain time! Hummingbirds
who have started their migration from up north will appreciate finding your
feeders along the way.
With winter coming, remember that
gardening is not just confined to outside. Start an herb garden on a sunny
windowsill and enjoy freshly snipped herbs or salad greens all winter long.
Bring color and texture to any room-with blooming and foliage houseplants and
cacti. Bring tropical plants that have spent the summer outside indoors before
the night temperatures drop below 45F. Be sure to check carefully for signs of
pests or diseases first, and treat as needed.
In October, you also need to prepare
your water gardens for winter. Cut back dying foliage of hardy water plants and
sink pots to the bottom of the pond. Cover your pond with a mesh netting to
protect it from the buildup of falling leaves. In the winter, install a de-icer
or pond heater to keep a hole in the ice for the fish to breathe. This will let
the ammonia gases escape the pond. Stop feeding your fish when the water
temperature reaches 55F.
Evaluate your summer plantings of
annuals and vegetables while they are still fresh in your mind. What varieties worked
well and what did not? Which varieties gave you the best flower display or
yield? Remember that spring is just around the corner! So begin planning next
spring’s flower and vegetable gardens now.
Enjoy your yard and
garden in every season!
Sandi Hillermann
McDonald
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