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Gardening CalendarAfter the summer we have had, we can all take a big sigh of relief that cooler weather is on the horizon. Moisture is spotty, but better than what we have had. This is a great time of year to be out in the garden, hopefully giving some TLC to plants that have taken the brunt of the season. Clean-up is in order in the perennial beds, cutting back old foliage, and dividing spring and summer perennials that need it. Summer annuals are still holding on, but winter annuals are ready for planting. From pansies and violas to snapdragons, flowering and edible kale and cabbage, dianthus, parsley, cilantro and garden mums, there are plenty of ways to add color to the fall and winter landscape. Houseplants that have had a vacation outside all summer need to be moving back indoors now. Check them for insects before making the move and spray if needed. Often a nice spritzing of water can remove some insect issues and clean them up. Be sure to reattach saucers to the pots or have some means of trapping overflow water. Cut way back on the amount of water you give these plants. Weekly or biweekly watering instead of daily applications is now in order. Don’t be overly alarmed if you see some leaf yellowing or dropping while they make the transition. If you like to bring outside plants in, such as flowering tropicals, caladiums and even tender herbs, they need to make the move now, too. If you wait until frost, the culture shock from outside to inside will be too much and they will not thrive. If they can move when inside and outside conditions are similar, the transition will be much smoother. Bright light will also make them happier inside. It is bulb season. Spring flowering bulbs are available at all markets now, and can safely be planted. We like to wait for the temperatures to cool down a bit before planting. Layering different types of bulbs in the beds or in containers will give you layers of color next spring. Choose firm, blemish-free bulbs and buy the biggest ones you can find. Bulb size does correspond to bloom size. Fertilization is not needed at planting, but do make sure the site is well-drained. Once you finish planting, top plant with winter seasonal color for an even showier display next spring. Lawns still are growing and leaves are falling in earnest. Weekly mowing can not only take care of the lawn’s needs but also the leaves. The mulched leaves can be bagged for use in the garden or landscape, or allowed to stay on the lawn. They will gradually break down into organic matter in the soil. Heavy layers of leaves should be raked and either composted or shredded and used as mulch. No more fertilization applications now. We don’t want to encourage lots of new growth as the lawn gets ready to head into dormancy. If you had the energy to plant a fall garden, you are reaping the benefits of it now. Many are actually getting a better fall harvest than they did a summer harvest. It was not the easiest season to grow a garden in. Lettuce, radishes and greens are coming into production, along with a second crop of squash, peppers and tomatoes. You will find the flavor of many vegetables is enhanced with cooler weather. Apples and oriental persimmons are continuing to be harvested, but hold off on eating any native persimmons until after a killing frost, or you will know the meaning of pucker power. Visit most botanical or public gardens now and you will find them a sea of color—usually orange. Pumpkins, gourds, bales of straw and other fall accoutrements are being used more and more in the fall garden. They are a quick and easy way to add color to a dull garden. Garden mums can also be used as seasonal color and all can last through November most years. Miniature pumpkins can be used as mulch in large pots or as a border edging material. Last year I cleaned my pumpkins once they were home and sprayed them with a clear spray paint to add to their shine and durability. They lasted so well, I even spray painted my leftover pumpkins and gourds silver and gold to add to my holiday decorations! Most of them lasted until spring, but you don’t have to wait that long for a change. Choose your pumpkins and gourds wisely. Look for firm fruits with no blemishes and a good stem attached. If there is no stem, they often won’t last as long. While you may not add hundreds to your yard, what you do add will make a stronger statement if they can be massed together for a greater impact. What is in bloom in your garden? If you need color, add pumpkins as mentioned above, but think about plants that can give you color every fall: the fabulous purple berries on beauty berry (Callicarpa americana), pink or white flowers on Japanese anemones, bright yellow goldenrod (Solidago sp.), toad lilies in the shade (Tricyrtis), the fragrant, albeit slightly invasive white flowers of sweet autumn clematis, and the blue flowers of the blue mist plant Caryopteris. Choosing plants that can give you multiple seasons of interest is always good, but making sure you have seasonality in every season is needed. Don’t overlook plants with fall color—Japanese maples are beginning to turn, gingko trees will be golden yellow and crape myrtles have gorgeous fall color. If your garden took a hit this summer, fall is a great time to plant the hardy plant materials.
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University of Arkansas • Division of Agriculture |
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