Falling for Winter
I always enjoy preparing my garden beds for Winter. I feel like the mistakes I’ve made in the past year will be wiped out and I get a chance to start all over in fresh clean garden beds come Spring. I start in mid-September when I enjoy autumn blooming plants such as toad lilies, cardinal flower, perennial begonias, native jewel weed and monkshood. Annuals such as cleome, zinnias, impatiens and moss rose are still going strong.
One of the biggest bonuses of gardening at this time of year is the cooler temps allow me to spend hours at a time outside without getting overheated or dehydrated (although water and sun hats are still needed). The other big bonus is PLANT SALES. When I find sales that have plants marked 25, 35 or even 50 percent off, even the most expensive plant seems to become reasonably priced.
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Hardy Begonia
|
Lobelia | Hardy Plumbago | Zinnia |
Pictures I've taken in my Gardens
September/October is the perfect time for planting. Plants love being planted in fall. In summer most plants get stressed out from long, hot, dry days. As long as the ground is above 40 degrees the roots of plants will work on settling into their new home.
It is during this time of year I really enjoy having many small gardens. I take on winterizing one bed at a time and that gives me the feeling of accomplishment over and over again. The first thing I do in any bed is plant those newly bought treasures. One year I bought a lot of plants late in the season and had a problem figuring out where to plant them since I had cut almost everything to the ground already and had no clue where the existing plants were planted. Learning the hard way – I’m really good at that!
Next I start cutting down non-blooming plants that I know hibernate during the winter. I pull most annuals at this time (unless they are really looking good – then I’ll wait until mulching time to yank them out). I pull out every single weed I can find (digging out any with tap roots). I don't prune bushes or evergreen plants until March or April but I do take a good look for any damage and cut out any that I find.
Finally, after a hard frost (on one of those surprisingly warm days we always seem to get) I mulch my beds. I usually use compost - occasionally some shredded bark to accomplish this. I make sure I don't pile mulch against trunks of shrubs and trees. Not only does mulch hold moisture against the bark, but I don't want to create a place for little critters to nest (they chew on the bark when food is scarce and the mulch provides heat and cover from predators).
I love my gardens in Spring and Summer when they are in full bloom but almost just as much I love the clean crisp look to a garden that has been put to bed for the winter.