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 Add cool season annuals like pansies, snapdragons, ornamental
kale and stocks to brighten the fall garden. Those in milder regions
will enjoy them throughout the winter. Consider adding cold hardy
pansies. They provide color in the fall garden, survive most
winters, and are back blooming in the spring just as the snow melts.
Fall is also a good time to plant perennials, trees and shrubs. The
soil is warm and the air cooler, so the plants are less stressed and
establish more quickly. Select plants suited to the growing
conditions and be sure to give them plenty of room to reach their
mature size.
Plant trees so the root flare, the place where the roots curve away
from the trunk, is even with the soil surface. Dig a hole, the same
depth as the rootball, and two to five times wider. Roughen the
sides of the hole and backfill with the existing soil. Water
thoroughly and spread a two to three inch layer of mulch over the
soil surface, keeping the mulch away from the tree trunk.
Follow a similar planting procedure for shrubs. Plant these so the
crown, the place where the stems meet the roots, is even with the
soil surface. And be sure to keep the mulch away from the stems.
 Plant daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and other bulbs in fall for extra
color next spring. Set the bulbs at a depth of two to three times
their height deep. Then cover them with soil and sprinkle on a low
nitrogen slow release fertilizer, like Milorganite (milorganite.com).
This organic nitrogen fertilizer promotes rooting without
stimulating fall growth subject to winter kill.
Start planting spring flowering bulbs after the nighttime
temperatures hover between 40 and 50 degrees. Be patient – waiting
until the soil cools reduces the risk of early sprouting that often
occurs during a warm fall.
Those gardening in the far south and along the gulf coast can
purchase pre-cooled bulbs to compensate for the warm winters. Or the
chilling can be done at home by storing the bulbs in a 35 to 45
degree location for at least 14 weeks before planting.
Those tired of battling the animals may want to plant resistant
bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths, Fritillaria, alliums, Camassia,
glory-of-the snow, snow drops, squills, and grape hyacinths. You may
find it is easier to avoid the problem than battle the animals with
repellents and scare tactics.
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Plant a few short season vegetables in your garden for
fresh-from-the garden flavor this fall. Simply count the days
from planting to the average first fall frost to determine how
many growing days are left in your area. Select vegetables that
will mature and can be harvested in that amount of time. Leaf
lettuce, spinach, mustard greens, radishes and carrots are fast
growing, cool weather tolerant vegetables that make great
additions to the fall garden and your dinner plate.
Get these vegetables off to a good start with a side dressing of
low nitrogen fertilizer. Incorporate it into the soil prior to
planting or sprinkle a narrow band along the row of plants. This
organic nitrogen will provide needed nutrients without damaging
the tender seedlings.
Extend the harvest season with the help of floating row covers.
These fabrics allow air, light and water through while trapping
the heat around the plants. No construction is needed; just
loosely cover the plants with the fabric, secure the edges with
pipes, boards or landscape staples and let the plants provide
the support.
So be sure to get a jump on next spring’s garden season with a
bit of fall planting now.
Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda
Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has
written over 20 gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small
Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook. She hosts
The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening For
Everyone” DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s
Garden Moment segments. Myers is also a columnist and
contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ web
site, www.melindamyers.com, offers gardening videos and tips.
[Melinda Myers]
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