Fall Gardening - Top Ten List
Bedding Plants, Mulching, Landscape Design, Vegetable Gardening
Fall is a time for garden preparation. Plant trees, perennials,grow a vegetable garden,design and install a swimming pool,prune trees, roses and shrubs.
- Unless you live in an area that snows- fall is often the best time of the year for planting.
Wait until average daytime temperatures are moderate. Be certain not to bury plants deeper than grown in container as dirt covering crown can kill or stunt plant. Loosen root ball if roots are encircling the pot. Avoid elaborate soil preparation of planting hole. In heavy soils do not use mechanical augers to bore planting holes as settling usually occurs and tree will be positioned in a low spot. Best to plant on mounded areas. If trees are to be planted in lawn, plant on slight mound and keep grass at least 24 inches from trunk of tree, and be certain species is water rated for lawn planting.
- Fall bedding plants should be planted before the weather gets cold.
Once optimum soil temperatures for Fall/winter planting passes, pansies, violas, calendulas, stock, and cyclamen, will sit and usually (depending of severity of winter) not bloom until spring. Therefore, spring bedding plants should be removed (often hard to do because they may still be blooming and looking good) to make room for fall planting.
- Prepare for winter’s cold.
Wrap pipes as needed prior to the cold weather hitting. Many products are sold for plant frost protection in forms of sprays and fabrics. One caution: these products may help – but can also create problems. If a plant is protected in one form or another for a period of time, and perhaps the wind blows it off or a desiccant simply wears off, the plant will be soft and more susceptible to injury. Better to plant hardy plants for the area, or plant the more tender in microclimate areas by the house, bodies of water, or large evergreens.
- Mulch is like Gold on the Ground.
It moderates soil temperature, adds needed nutrients, retains moisture, and visually improves the environment. Keep off stems of plants to avoid crown rot. Many utility providers give recycled mulch away – contact corporate yards for pick-up locations. You can purchase a variety of wood product mulches from local sand and gravel companies, or in bags from local nurseries.
- Fall is the perfect time to hire contractors for small to large projects.
Builders put an extra sharp point on their pencils when preparing your bid during the fall /winter months. Not only that, but the finished product is often superior due to relaxed workers, cool working climate and contractors desire for referrals.
- Planning.
Start thinking about next year’s goals for the homestead. Make a list. Need a landscape design, kitchen/bathroom remodel? Start looking online, check out magazines and books for ideas. Talk to friends for contractor referrals. Don’t take a chance of hiring a door-knob-flyer-contractor. You may get lucky, but best to hire someone that's proven himself or herself to a friend or relative.
- Build a raised box for vegetables.
A winter garden can be rewarding, but like bedding plants – don’t wait too long as they should have an ample establishment period, before the cold weather sets in. If wood is chosen, just make sure it’s not treated with toxins. Better to build it out of stone or interlocking or stacked blocks. Lettuce, broccoli, boc choy, (most leaf crops) and much more can be grown in winter. Late fall/winter look for asparagus too.
- Hardy perennials, (preferable to bedding plants) are fantastic for fall planting.
Ornamental grasses, and many flowering perennials should be planted in fall, which will explode with growth as soon as spring arrives. Coreopsis (moonbeam, zagrebe, rosea, sweetdream) coneflower, daylilies, Japanese anemone - the list is endless. Note that many hardy perennials will go dormant or semi dormant in the winter. For this reason, when designing the garden, use them sporadically – mixed with evergreen plantings.
- Pruning can be done in early fall.
Different schools of thought pertain to pruning times. Generally the best time is just prior to a large growth period, so the wound will callus over quickly. Early fall is a good time, as a growth period occurs then. Large tree pruning or removals is best done by companies licensed and bonded. Ask for an ISA Cert. Arborist, especially when native oaks are involved.
- Get ready for next year.
As the garden slows in growth in late fall into the winter, you’ll have more time to take on other projects. Organize the garage - sharpen and tune up the ole-garden machinery. Once that’s done, kick back and enjoy the break – your garden is.
