Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:42 pm Post subject: Fall Gardening
On September 22, Fall officially arrives. That means there is much to do in the garden right now. Many have been busy harvesting and drying celosia, ornamental grasses, coneflower seed-heads, mountain mint and other plants to use for fall decorating.
Ornamental gourds are coming in now in many areas and will be ready for harvesting when the stems start to die back. Decorate with gourds during this season for a charming effect.
Some fun varieties to grow in the spring are the Bottle Gourd, Apple Gourd, Caveman's Club Gourd, and the Swan Gourd. Snake goards are a favorite variety for crafters.
The snake gourds grow 8-48" long and actually coil and twist when growing which makes them look just like a snake. The packet had a picture of some that were dried and painted to look like snakes. This would be such a fun activity for kids or even crafty adults.
Last edited by God's Warrior on Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:07 pm; edited 1 time in total
* If you are growing gourds, melons, or pumpkins, pinch off the tips of the vines. That will help the plants to direct their energies into ripening the fruits already on the vines instead putting on more green growth.
* Divide spring blooming perennials if the middle is dying out or if they are crowded.
* Decide which herbs you may want to overwinter inside and take cuttings.
* Plant cold weather veggies like leaf lettuce, radishes, spinach, and turnip greens by the middle of the month for a fall garden.
* Order bulbs now while they are cheaper and plant in October-December. The ground temperature has to be 60 degrees or below. If you haven't looked at bulbs in catalogs lately you will be amazed. If you have deer problems, plant daffodils (poisonous) instead of tulips (their favorite!)
* Improve the soil in your vegetable garden by planting a cover crop of alfalfa, buckwheat, soybeans, and Southern peas. These grasses and grains protect bare soil over the winter and when tilled under in early spring produce good organic matter and adds nutrients to the soil.
* If your annuals are looking bad, go ahead and pull them up if you want.
* Now is the time to reseed your yard. It's good to get it up and established before the first frost.
* Buy annuals such as pansies and ornamental cabbage, as soon as they become available in garden stores. This way their roots can become established before the first frost. Be sure the colors you pick go with the perennials and annuals you still have blooming in your bed.
Continue to take notes on places you have in your garden where nothing is blooming so you can fill in the blank spots this fall.
Reduce work by buying Low-Maintenance Plants like coneflowers and ornamental grasses.
Keep mulch pulled away 3 inches from tree trunks to prevent decay and disease.
Plant fall herbs and vegetables.
Buy mums early, while in tight bud stage, for the best chance of a long show. Keep in full sun and water daily. Cut back to 6 inches and plant in ground for next year.
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