|
Statistics
Members: 237
News: 1054
Web Links: 17
Visitors: 640585
|
I really love my garden at this time of the year. It isn't as showy as in the spring time; in fact its looking a little tacky around the edges and in other places besides. The thing is I can look at it and remember how awesome certain plants were, and I can plan what changes to make for next year. My Rose of Sharon, or Hardy Hibiscus is still flowering profusely and has a lot of buds still to come and the neighbors Trumpet Vine is absolutely incredible still. Some of the leaves on certain shrubs are sporting the beginning of their fall color, and my fall asters are at their most showy. As usual I am hoping for a few more frost free days as my Dahlia plants are spectacular right now and I hope to see them continue. I always pick lots of my flowers at this point, especially if there is any danger of frost, because I will at least be able to enjoy them in the house. Gardening seems to be done at a more leisurely pace, since the season is nearly over and I am mostly just doing cleanup. Now is a good time to clean up around shrubs and other perennials and mulch every thing; especially any tender perennials and Roses.
September and October is a good time to plant bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocus etc. If you are buying bulbs you can always purchase a few extra, plant them in pots and bury them in the ground or put in a spot that is cool but not freezing. These pots can be brought out to force for blooming at Christmas or in the early spring. I do this most years and it works very well for me. They also make a really nice gift.
Deep water any Cedars you have in your yard, I do this by leaving the water on overnight. They winter better if they have enough water at the roots and our winds are very drying. You can plant garlic, and sow onions, shallots, endive etc at this time.
Now is a good time to transplant any perennials that need to be moved but don't leave it too late, they do better with a bit of time to establish their roots. Dig and store winter vegetables like carrots, beets etc. apply manure and clean up the garden beds. Rake up leaves and use for compost or mulch, but don't keep leaves from trees or shrubs that are diseased. Peach leaf curl and powdery mildew and other fungus diseases will over winter in the leaves and you will have a bigger problem with it next year. Some people don't like to mulch with leaves because of over wintering insects, but I have never found it to be a problem and like the extra mulching I get using my leaves.
Collect seeds from plants for next year, and visit friends with plants that you admired to see if you can get seeds or cuttings. Sharing is always fun. Store dried seeds in paper bags, not plastic as any small amount of moisture will rot them.
After the first frost you can dig your dahlias, Cannas, gladiolus etc. to dry and store them.
My blackberries are still producing nicely but after a frost they will need to have the spent canes removed and the new canes cut and tied back for next years crop. Raspberries need a similar treatment, and it is also a good idea to fertilize your berries now.
It's a nice idea to leave some seeds on the plants for the birds. Especially if they are near a window, you can enjoy the birds all fall and winter that way. It is also a great excuse for not having the garden completely cleaned up.
Lindi Karmason for Lake Country Greenhouses 2005-10 |
|
Subscription
Special OfferOrder 12 ISSUES of the CHOICE for family and friends for only $12.00 plus gst (Canada only). Send your name and address and a cheque to Seniors Choice at Box 41075 RPO South, Lake Country, BC V4V 1Z7
MYRA CANYON KELOWNA BC
SILVER STAR VERNON BC
|
