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Written by Sylvia Henthorn
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| Annuals |
Get rid of the last dead bodies. Broadcast seeds of cornflower, larkspur, poppies, and Queen Anne’s lace where they are to bloom, mixing seeds with sand for even distribution. |
| Bulbs |
Plant crocus and daffodils after the soil has cooled. Plant in groups of odd numbers—at least five to seven. All bulbs need sun. A wire screen on top can prevent animals from eating them, Lift tender bulbs like elephant ears, caladiums and gladiolas and store them where they will be dry and not freeze. After frost blackens the foliage on dahlias, carefully dig tubers, knock off the dirt, dry in the sun and cut off all but 1” of the stem. Store them in peat moss and /or vermiculite, keeping tubers from touching. Hardy bulbs benefit from a fall feeding with bulb fertilizer. Water well, then mulch. Wait to plant lilies/or tulips. |
| General |
Plant wildflower seeds for a show next spring. |
| Herbs |
Freeze, dry, make herb vinegar or oil. Herbs that do pretty well indoors in a SUNNY window or under lights include basil, chervil, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, lavender, chives and sage |
| Houseplants |
Bring tender potted plants and tropical boomers in. Now! Make sure your plants are adequately moistened. Grouping them together helps create a humid atmosphere. Fertilize very little when not actively growing, which for most plants will not be until March. |
| Lawns |
Apply fall pre-emergence herbicides., if needed, to control winter annuals. Seed fescue so that it has sufficient time to develop before the onset of cold weather, or over seed an existing lawn. Water as needed. Keep lawns free of fallen leaves—they smother grass. Lawns should be 2” high going into winter. |
| Perennials |
Finish your perennial planting when the leaves start falling. Wait until foliage is completely dormant before you remove foliage to just above the ground level (it will probably be this month) |
| Trees/Shrubs |
Buy bargain shrubs: fall is the ideal time to plant. Rake leaves as they fall and start a compost pile |
| Hint: |
Be on the look out for: Successes and Failures from the gardening season.
What could I have done better? Do I want to even mess with it next year? Make notes so you will remember... |
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Forget Me Knots 