experts reveal their fall garden secrets - Brief Article

Flower & Garden Magazine, Sept, 2001

Just because you've harvested your veggies and picked the last of your flowers doesn't mean it's time to forget about gardening. Garden experts remind us that autumn is one of the most important--and most rewarding--gardening seasons of the year. "Autumn is a terrific time to garden," said Dave Devine, past president of the Mailorder Gardening Association and a nurseryman with 25 years of growing experience. "Fall is the best time to plant everything from flower bulbs and perennials to trees and shrubs." According to Devine, planting in the fall allows trees, shrubs and perennials to get climatized to the area. Even though the foliage of the plant may not grow noticeably, its roots will become established after planting in the fall. The following spring, when the plant receives the day length and temperature it needs, it will grow very consistently because it is now "on schedule" with Mother Nature.

* PERENNIAL TIPS

Fall is a good time to divide perennials, such as Shasta daisies Chrysanthemum maximum, purple coneflowers Echinacea purpurea and black-eyed susan Rudbeckia fulgida `Goldsturm.' If a perennial has been in the same location for several years and you've noticed a decline in its flower output, dig up the plant and divide the root ball with a spade or hatchet into two, three or four pieces. This process invigorates the plant, and each portion will grow more vigorously next spring.

Hardy perennials need a period of dormancy with consistently cold temperatures during the winter. In areas where winters are severe enough to freeze the soil, apply a generous layer of mulch around plants after the ground is frozen. The mulch will keep the soil from warming up prematurely in early spring.

* PLANTING BULBS

Fall is absolutely the best time to plant spring-flowering bulbs. According to Linda Harris, former horticulturist for Ferry-Morse, the earlier a bulb flowers, the sooner it should be planted. So, crocuses and daffodils need to be planted in early fall because they're the first to bloom in springtime. Later blooming hyacinths and tulips can be planted anytime before the ground freezes.

Before you plant bulbs, make sure your soil has plenty of organic material (add compost!). Then loosen the soil to a depth of about a foot. Plant bulbs in soil that drains well because bulbs that stay too wet may rot.

"Planting bulbs now is like planting buried treasure," say experts at Dutch Gardens. "Bulbs are especially fun for kids to plant, because they tend to forget about them over the winter and then are surprised and delighted by the bright-colored flowers in early spring."

In many parts of the country, chipmunks and squirrels love to dig up freshly planted bulbs. One solution is to throw a few mothballs into the holes when you plant bulbs. Another technique is to put a few drops of turpentine in a paper bag along with the bulbs you'll be planting. Shake the bulbs gently for a minute or so, then leave them in a bag overnight to absorb the turpentine smell. Most animals hate the smell of turpentine--so they'll leave the bulbs alone.

* TREE TIPS

According to Walter Logan, former vice president of Stark Brothers Nurseries, bare-root trees can be planted during the fall in the southern portion of USDA Zone 5 and southward. And container-grown trees can be planted nationwide in fall.

"Fall is not as busy a season for most gardeners, which makes fall planting more relaxed and more enjoyable" said Logan. "Planting trees in the fall--like planting shrubs and perennials--allows the plant's roots to get established before the ground freezes. Then, in spring the roots are able to absorb moisture in ground and start growing again earlier in the spring."

If you use tree wraps around tree minks to protect them from damage caused by string trimmers and wildlife, Logan says fall is a good time to remove these wraps and get rid of any grass or debris that has collected inside. Then carefully rewrap the tree trunk.

Wrapping tree trunks also prevents early spring damage to trees, according to Logan. A wrapped trunk is less likely to prematurely warm up in spring, and is therefore less likely to be damaged by a late-season hard freeze.

* GARDENERS, START YOUR SEEDS

For those gardeners who love to plant seeds, fall's a great time to start planning next spring's garden.

"Don't wait until next spring to order seed-starting supplies, like heat mats and growlights" said Dick Chamberlin, president of Harris Seeds. "By getting your garden planned and your supplies ready, you'll be prepared when next spring comes."

For more information on the companies mentioned above, phone or visit: Ferry Morse at www.ferry-morse.com, Stark Bro's--800.325.4180, Harris Seeds--800.514.4441 or Dutch Gardens--www.dutchgardens.com.