Gardening Tasks For The Fall Season

December 24, 2009

September is already upon us and in many parts of the United States, it’s now time to start our fall gardening chores. For some of us there is a lot to do in a very short period of time, because the first frosts are just a few weeks away. Other parts of the country may have another one to three months before the cold snaps hit, but getting started now will give you time to get everything done without rushing.

Not everyone will have the same gardening tasks in the fall, but we’ll look at some of the basics and you can decide which ones apply to your personal gardening needs.

1. Collect Seeds. If you haven’t done so yet, try to collect some seeds from your favorite plants of this year. Collecting seeds is especially useful if you grow a lot of annual flowers, and you think you may want to grow the same ones again next year. In most cases if an annual flower or vine generates seeds, then those seeds will drop to the ground on their own and germinate over the long winter, only to sprout new plants in the same location next year. If you think you may not want them in the same location though, then try to collect all of the seeds before they’ve dropped to the ground.

======================================
Garden Tip...

It is so easy to mow the lawn with the light-running modern lawn-mower, that many fine lawns are injured by too frequent mowings. We should not follow any set time for mowing, but be governed by the growth of the grass and the weather. When hot weather approaches, the grass should be cut less often, for too close cutting will expose the roots, and if the weather be dry and hot for a considerable period, the grass as a consequence will wither prematurely.
~ James Sheehan
======================================

2. Prune bushes. Many types of bushes winter best if they’re pruned well before the cold weather sets in. Some will need to be pruned almost to the ground, while others will simply need a slight trim. Still others may not need to be pruned until the middle of winter. If you’re not sure which pruning time is best for your own bushes, then log online and do a bit of research before it gets too cold.

======================================
Garden Tip...

The Roses best adapted for in-door culture belong to the class known as Tea Roses; these are tender, of a bushy growth, and if properly treated, will bloom the year round; the flowers have a strong tea-scent.

Tea Roses can be cultivated out-of-doors with success, but they must be taken up in the fall and removed in-doors. We know it is the custom of some gardeners to lay the bushes down in the fall, and cover them with earth and leaves; while in some cases this may preserve them, it cannot be depended on as a rule. To keep up a steady bloom, pinch off all flowers as soon as they begin to fade. It is best to not let the buds open fully while on the bush, but they should be cut in the bud, and placed in a vase of water, where they will expand and keep for a long while. All dead leaves and flower stems should be carefully removed, and the surface of the soil in the pots should be stirred up occasionally with a stick, this will keep the plants in a growing condition, and if they can be kept growing, they will bloom continuously.
~ James Sheehan
======================================
3. Renew your mulch. All of your bushes and perennial flower beds should be mulched well for the winter. If you use mineral or synthetic mulch materials, you may not need to do anything but be sure they’re in good condition. Organic mulch material should be added to though, to ensure the layer is thick and to help replace any that may have decomposed already. Mulching is important to help protect the roots of your plants and bushes from the cold, so they’ll be able to sprout up again next spring.

4. Turn your flower beds. If you have annual flower beds, or you’re planning to plant new flower beds next spring, now is a great time to turn the soil and add organic material to them. The organic material will have all winter to break down and decompose, so by next spring the soil will be very rich and fertile for your new plants.

5. Clean and store your garden tools. You won’t need your garden tools much through the winter, so now is an excellent time to clean, repair if needed, and store them securely.

Last but not least: Get your gardening journal out and keep it on hand. It will be a welcome friend to you during the cold winter nights when you’re unable to garden.