For:
By: Daniel E. Mullins
Extension Horticulture Agent
Fall Gardening Tips
The months of October and November provide some of the most ideal weather for being outdoors. There are also many gardening activities that are best performed at this time.
■ Tree and Shrub Planting: When transplanted during the fall, the roots of woody ornamentals continue to grow throughout the winter. This results in plants that are well on their way toward establishment before hot weather the following spring.
■ Lawn Care: Continue mowing and providing general care, including irrigation. Avoid the application of a fertilizer containing high levels of nitrogen. This could encourage excessively tender grass that would result in winter damage. Instead, allow the grass to gradually go dormant.
Overseeding of the permanent lawn with annual ryegrass can be done during October and early November. Though a well kept cool season lawn can be attractive, it requires a commitment. Regular mowing, irrigation and a couple of light, supplemental applications of fertilizer will be required during the winter in order to keep the lawn looking its best.
■ Perennials: Finish dividing crowded perennials. The hardy perennials such as daylilies and amaryllis perform much better when transplanted in the fall.
■ Leaf Management: Rake or bag fallen leaves in order to prevent a deep layer from forming on the lawn grass. Use the leaves for mulching landscape beds or for composting.
■ Plant Winter Vegetables:
Prepare beds and plant seeds of beets, carrots, kohlrabi, mustard,
radish, spinach and turnips. Purchase
started plants and establish broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower,
lettuce, onions and strawberry. These
cool season vegetables are very cold hardy under
■ Keep hummingbird feeders clean and filled. Don’t be afraid to leave feeders up late into
the fall. The hummers’ urge to migrate
is stronger than the urge to hang around a feeder. This food source might also be helpful in
nourishing those that are passing through from points north.
■ Plant Winter Annuals:
Prepare beds and plant some cool season flowers. Some nurseries and garden centers are
offering containerized plants. Look for
and try snapdragons, statice, pansy, dianthus, stock, and delphinium.
■ Horticultural Oil Spray: An application of horticultural oil emulsion
is a relatively non-toxic way of controlling scales, mites and other
over-wintering insects of shrubs such as hollies, camellias and pittosporum. This product is sold at most retail gardening
outlets. Follow label directions
carefully.
■ Locate sources of fruit trees and
place orders. The successful growing
of fruits in our area is greatly influenced by the selection of varieties that
are adapted to this region. Obtain a
copy of the publication, “Deciduous Fruit for
Fruit
trees are normally shipped during the dormant season and are planted during
December and January in our area. Don’t
wait until then to start shopping, or your choices will be limited.
Question
of the Week: My neighbor has a beautiful large shrub that
flowered during September, and continues to bloom during October. The flowers are white when they first open,
but turn red the next day. Can you tell
me what plant that this is?
Answer: This plant is commonly known as Confederate Rose. There is a long story as to how the name came
about and some other interesting facts about this species. Maybe we can discuss that in the future.
Confederate
Rose, also known as cotton rose is a half hardy perennial in our area. It is a species of Hibiscus, and due to its
unusual flowering habit is popular with many gardeners. It roots readily, or a started plant can be
found at some, but not all nurseries.