Spring Flowering Bulbs

Crocus and Snowdrops followed by Daffodils and Tulips, then Dutch Iris and Spanish Bluebells

Spring flowering bulbs should be planted in late September through October, when soil temperatures fall below 60° F. This will allow a root system to develop before the ground freezes.

When establishing a new bed of bulbs, the soil should be loosened to at least 4 inches below the bulb's suggested planting depth. For example, if the recommended planting depth is 6 inches, the bed should be prepared to at least 10 inches. Check the bulb package to determine the spacing and planting depth for your type of bulb. As a general rule of thumb, bulbs should be planted twice as deep as they are high.Bulbs prefer full sun, a rich, well-draining soil to which compost or other organic matter has been added.

After deciding which types of flowers you want in the spring, select only firm, solid bulbs for planting. Avoid bulbs that are shriveled or lightweight. Bulbs that are discolored by mold or that contain soft spots should also be avoided. Don't forget to plant your bulbs right side up. This means planting the pointed end up for bulbs like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, squill and many others.

Decide on a design. Bulbs are much more attractive if planted in odd numbered groups or mass plantings. I like to plant them in a circle, starting in the middle and going around. It makes them look like a bouguet when they bloom. GORGEOUS. They may be enjoyed more also if the planting can be seen from a favorite window in the house.

Cover the bulbs lightly with soil and then sprinkle a good bulb food on top of the soil, not in the hole. Fertilizer in the hole may burn tender, young roots. Water thoroughly, and then keep the soil moist to allow the roots to form more quickly.

Fall Tree Planting

Trees add beauty and so much more. Trees can be planted almost any time of the year as long as the ground is not frozen. Late summer or early fall is the optimum time to plant trees in many areas. Fall planting can be successful as long as the planting season is not extended too late into the fall. As the air temperatures cool, the soil continues to be warm for a while so much of the activity of the tree moves underground and new roots are produced.

A properly planted and maintained tree will grow faster and live longer than one that is incorrectly planted. Be sure to water the tree once every three or four weeks through the winter unless we have sufficient moisture to keep the soil moist to at least the entire depth of the root ball.

Some popular tress that can be successfully planted in fall include maple, buckeye or horsechestnut, alder, catalpa, hackberry, hawthorn, ash, honey locust, Kentucky coffeetree, crabapple, Amur corktree, spruce, pine, sycamore, linden and elm.

Fall planting (mid-August to mid-October) takes advantage of favorable soil temperatures and moisture conditions that promote the root growth needed to sustain plants through their critical first year in the landscape.

Grasses

Grasses add variety to many types of gardens.

Grasses look well against a dark background and placed to catch morning or evening light, they add movement and sound.

Grasses are adaptable.

Grasses are bothered by few pests. If any come, a strong force of water from a hose takes care of them.

Grasses require little effort.

Some of the more popular cool season grasses include: Fescues, Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon), Tufted Hair Grass (Deschampsia), and Autumn Moor Grass (Sesleria).

In the fall, plant only container plants with well-established root systems and allow for at least one month of growth before winter. A good rule of thumb is to space plants equal to their mature height (plants 4' tall are spaced 4' apart) Then provide a light cover of straw or hay during the first winter for best results. Apply the mulch after several hard frosts.

Success depends greatly on soil preparation before planting and having good drainage.

It's the Beginning of Gardening Season!!

Stop thinking of fall as the end of gardening season! Instead think of it as the beginning and do a lot of your planting now.

Grasses
Trees
Shrubs
Spring-flowering bulbs
Perennials
Ground Covers

These are just a few of the things you can plant this time of the year.

Another benefit to fall planting is extra root growth, according to extension services. During autumn, a plant's leaf and flower production slows and heads into dormancy. That leaves the plant with energy it can apply to root development. Even though the top is in dormancy, the roots continue to develop as long as the temperature of the roots is 45 degrees or more.

Disease Management

Both powdery mildew and downy mildew often infect squash plants as autumn nights grow cooler and dew keeps the foliage moist through the night. Fungicides can be applied when disease symptoms first appear to reduce their spread. This will work on the plants not already affected but will have no effect on the already diseased plants.

Symptoms first appear as yellowy spots on the oldest leaves. Lesions then appear followed by a white or light tan powdery growth. Here is a link to see it and read more about it: Powdery Mildew

Weeds and Pests in Your Fall Garden

As you till your soil for the fall plantings, you will bring the weed seeds to the surface where they can germinate. Be very diligent about pulling and hoeing those weeds. Mulching will help as it blocks the light needed for germination.

Cucumber beetle and squash bug populations peak in August and can quickly destroy cucumber and squash seedlings. The name cucumber beetle refers to two species: The Striped Cucumber Beetle,Acalymma vittatum (Fabricius) and the Spotted Cucumber Beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber. THere is some very good info on controlling them on this site: Cucumer Beetle The squash bug is one of the most common and troublesome pests attacking squash and pumpkin plants. Here is a site to identify them: Squash Bug

Imported cabbage worms and cabbage loopers can destroy new cole crop transplants if not diligently controlled.

Summer Gardening Season Hasn’t Ended Yet

Are you tired of picking tomatoes, zucchini and peppers from your summer vegetable garden? Are you ready for something different?

As with spring plantings, some crops are more easily established when started early and transplanted into the garden. You have all summer to do this, when you are thinking about gardening.

They can be grown outdoors in partial shade to full sun. There are no worries of freezing weather and no need for plant lights for these transplants and the blowing wind and bright sunlight will help produce stocky, vigorous plants.

The first autumn frost is often followed by 2-3 weeks of warmer weather. With a little help, frost-tender plants can grow throughout those weeks. Lightweight blankets, sheets, newspapers, buckets and floating row covers all can be used to protect tender plants. Usually the first frost hits on a cloudless night, when the clouds do not protectand the heat is not reflected back to earth's surface. Covering plants keeps the ground heat around your plants so they do not freeze.

So get busy planting those fall crops and enjoy your bounty!