The onset of Fall can be a bittersweet time. Temperatures begin to drop, especially after sundown, the air becomes a bit crisper, but the days get shorter and shorter, seemingly overnight. Gardeners, too, feel the paradox of Fall. Plants stop producing flowers and fruit; trees and shrubs begin to go dormant; flowering plants have grown leggy and unattractive; and gardeners grow tired of the constant attention to watering, deadheading and weeding. But, there is still plenty of life in the garden and plenty to do to get it ready for Winter and the following Spring.
IT’S A GREAT TIME
September and October are a great time to plant trees, shrubs, bulbs and perennials (and grass seed and sod for those of you with lawns). Foliage planted in the Fall enjoy the cooler temperatures and ideal growing conditions that allow roots ample time to grow into the surrounding soil. Use starter plant fertilizer when planting. Many trees and plants; including Butterfly Bush, Hydrangeas, Cotoneaster and perennials such as Coreopsis and Ornamental Grasses, provide lots of color in September.
September and October are also the time to bring houseplants back inside once temperatures dip below minimum temperatures at night, usually 40 to 50 degrees for most plants. Check for insects before bringing them in and treat if necessary so as not to spread disease. Repot bound plants with a good potting mix, and feed through November and then stop feeding through February.
THERE’S STILL TIME
You can still seed beets, radishes, turnips and leaf lettuce. Hardy mums, ornamental kales and cabbages, and Winter pansies provide color and texture well into the Fall. Get a head start on next spring by planting Spring bulbs. You can plant most flowering bulbs in containers for bloom in the Spring if you take precautions to protect them from frost, including mulching and moving the containers to a protected site or grouping them closely together for insulation.
DON’T FORGET
Mulching is important in the Fall for planted bulbs, perennials, trees and shrubs because it insulates the soil, keeping it warmer longer so root growth can occur.
Feed evergreens (Hollies, Boxwoods and Yews, and deciduous trees (maples, oaks, and trees that lose their leaves in Fall) with a tree and shrub food.
Clay and ceramic pots (ones that are not frost-proof) can crack over the winter if left outdoors with soil in them or if they fill with rain. When the water freezes it expands, and so does wet soil. Empty pots and store upside down or bring them inside.
And finally, celebrate the season with pumpkins and gourds. Plant your window box with Winter Greens and Berries, and enjoy the break from your daily gardening chores!
Anne Fleshman is the owner of Baltimore Contained in Canton, which provides products and services for the urban gardener. Baltimore Contained provides free delivery within one-mile of store, installation of purchases, coaching, maintenance services and end of season clean-up and storage. [www.baltimorecontained.com]
