As winter turns to fall, the garden seems to retreat. But there is still a lot of work underground, so there is no time to rest.
First, your plants still need water. Although thirst decreases as temperatures cool, many years in colder regions, trees and shrubs still require additional water in early fall for dormancy (and emergence).
In colder regions, plant pansies for fall color. They die back in the winter but grow again the following spring until the heat of summer arrives. In warm climates, it is ideal to think as long as the winter temperature does not exceed 80 degrees.
Add other seasonal flowers to the garden or container. Chrysanthemums, asters and colorful cabbage and ornamental cabbage are good choices.
You can start planting onions. In areas that suffer from winter frosts, this means hardy plants such as tulips, grape hyacinths, daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, snowdrops and snowdrops. In the South, think amaryllis, caladiums, calla lilies, cannas, daffodils, dahlias, elephant ears, gladioli, and bulbous begonias.
Gardeners in the southern parts of the United States, such as Texas and southern Florida, can plant tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
Declining crops do not need to be uprooted if they are still producing. Take what you can until they die and clear the bed of plant debris.
Planting cover crops such as clover or oats in bare garden beds can help suppress weeds, control soil erosion, and add nutrients to the soil. In the spring, turn the soil and plant the next garden. But avoid using legume cover crops in beds where you intend to grow legumes, such as beans or peas.
Dispose of diseased plants in the trash and create a compost pile with healthy plant parts. Layer fresh materials such as kitchen scraps, grass clippings, seedless weeds, coffee grounds, cornstarch, peanuts, horse and rabbit manure, and bird droppings. Replace with dry materials such as leaves, twigs, shredded paper, and straw (never add cat litter, dog feces, fat, meat, dairy, or other animal products).
To speed up decomposition, sprinkle some nitrogen on each layer and keep the pile slightly moist by turning it slightly with a fork. From next summer you can enrich your floor with "black gold".
To prepare for spring planting, test your soil pH now and add lime and compost when indicated, which will deepen over the winter.
Avoid fertilizing anywhere except in the south, where some grasses can use a slow-release product in early fall. But follow local composting restrictions to protect ecosystems and avoid waste (and possibly fines). For example, during the southern monsoon, nitrogen can flow from the soil to the groundwater; In the north, cooler temperatures inhibit fertilizer uptake and groundwater may be depleted.
Both situations destroy our precious resources and waste our money because the unabsorbed fertilizer is not good for your weeds or plants.
Southern gardeners should feed citrus trees now, but not in rainy weather. Use a slow-release product to provide long-lasting nutrients and prevent runoff and leakage.
Freshen the grass, but aerate it first. Sow once a week and water lightly every day until it is 3 cm tall.
Transplant and divide perennials and groundcovers in spring and early summer, but don't disturb late-summer flowers until spring.
Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs. In cold areas, it is best to wait until the trees around you have lost their leaves. Water wells and mulch.
Cool-season crops such as beans, radishes, collard greens and broccoli can now be grown in many warm climates.
Finally, do yourself a favor in the future and weed. Pulling the seeds from the roots before planting will reduce the next year significantly.
You will thank yourself in the spring.
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Jessica Damiano writes a regular gardening column for The Associated Press. Her garden calendar has been named the winner of the 2021 Garden Communicator International Media Award. His Weekly Trash received the Society of Professional Journalists' 2021 PCLI Media Award. Sign up for weekly gardening tips and tricks here.
For more stories about AP gardening, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gardening.
