When summer comes, the garden seems to disappear. But there is still a lot of action underground, so now is not the time to relax.
Your plants still need water to get started. While their thirst decreases as temperatures drop, perennials, trees, and shrubs in colder regions actually need extra water in early fall to help them successfully prepare for (and emerge from) dormancy.
In cooler areas, plant pansies for fall color. They will die in the winter, but will bloom again the following spring before the summer heat blows them away. In warmer regions, pansies are good as long as the winter temperature does not exceed 80 degrees.
Also, add other seasonal flowers to the garden or containers. Chrysanthemums, asters, and brightly colored ornamental cabbages are good choices.
You can also start planting bulbs. In areas with winter frosts, these are winter-hardy individuals, such as poppies, grape hyacinths, daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, snowdrops, snow glory. In the south - amaryllis, caladiums, callas, cannes, daffodils, dahlias, elephant ears, gladioli and tuberous begonias.
Gardeners in the southernmost regions of the United States, such as South Texas and Florida, can plant tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants again.
There is no need to add to a declining crop if they are still producing. Gather what you can before they die on their own, then clear the beds of plant debris.
Planting cover crops such as clover or rye in empty flower beds will help suppress weed growth, control erosion, and add nutrients to the soil. In the spring, simply turn the soil over and plant your next garden. However, avoid using legumes in beds where you intend to grow legumes such as beans or peas.
Throw diseased plants in the trash and create a compost heap with healthy plant parts. Create layers of fresh materials such as kitchen scraps of fruits and vegetables, grass clippings, weeds that have not sprouted, coffee grounds, cornstarch for packing peanuts, horse manure, rabbit and bird droppings. Replace them with dry items such as leaves, twigs, shredded paper, and straw (never add cat litter, dog poop, fat, meat, dairy, or other animal products).
To speed up decomposition, sprinkle each layer with nitrogen and keep the pile slightly damp, turning it over with a fork from time to time. Next summer you will be able to enrich your land with "black gold".
To prepare for spring planting, check the pH of your soil now and add soil additives such as lime if indicated and compost that will penetrate deep into the soil in winter.
Avoid fertilizing anywhere except in the south, where some lawns may benefit from a slow release product in early fall. But be aware of local restrictions on the use of fertilizers to protect the ecosystem and avoid waste (and possibly fines). For example, during southern rains, nitrogen is washed out through the soil into groundwater; low temperatures in the north hinder the uptake of fertilizers, which can also seep into aquifers.
Both scenarios pollute our precious resources and waste money, as unabsorbed fertilizer will not benefit your lawn or plants anyway.
Southern gardeners should feed their citrus fruits now, not when it rains. Use a slow release product to ensure long lasting nutrient retention and prevent washout and washout.
Rejuvenate your lawn, but ventilate it first. Sow once a week and water lightly every day up to 3 inches in height.
Transplant and divide perennials and groundcovers in spring and early summer, but do not disturb late blooms until spring.
Autumn is a good time to plant trees and shrubs. In colder areas, it's best to wait until the trees in your area have lost their foliage. Water well and apply mulch.
Cold season crops such as beets, radishes, leafy greens and broccoli can now be planted in many temperate countries.
Finally, do your future a favor and keep up with the weed. Removing them from the roots before planting will significantly reduce their numbers next year.
You will thank yourself in the spring.
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Jessica Damiano writes a regular gardening column for the Associated Press. His gardening calendar was named the winner of the 2021 Garden Communicators International Media Awards. Weekly newsletter Dirt received the PCLI Media Award 2021 from the Society of Professional Journalists. Sign up here for weekly gardening tips and tricks.
More AP Gardening stories can be found at https://apnews.com/hub/gardening.
