ONLINE HED:
Beat the Frost
Gardening expert Rachel Czech offers late-season garden reminders.
by cyd haynes
The changing season calls for new types of activities in yards and gardens.
October presents gardeners with an important choice. They can welcome the end of the season that ushers in the first frost and releases them from the intense growing season or they can fend off the chill and protect plants with blankets and tarps. Because the season started so late this year, gardeners may want to squeeze out every last day to bring fall crops to full ripeness.
Whether you choose the former or latter, gardening expert Rachel Czech offers five important things to remember in your October garden:
“October is still the heart of harvest season. The cooler weather and rainfall also make it a great time to be planting shrubs, trees, perennials and other transplant projects. Temperatures encourage plants to slow their growth, while the warmer ground temperatures create a great environment for root development.”
Tips for your October Gardens
Keep watering until the first hard frost.
Split up perennials that have overgrown their home. Share with friends!
This time of year, reserve fertilizer for your lawn. It gives your grass time to store up nutrients for winter. You can also lay sod and spread seed at this time. Shrubs and perennials are preparing for winter and don’t need the fertilizer they did earlier in the season.
Make sure to clean up the lawn. Leaving leaves on the grass invites diseases.
Now is the time to plant bulbs for the spring! Tulips, crocus, daffodils and hyacinths are great choices. Choose firm and healthy looking bulbs. //
Celebrate the Next Season Before long, it will be time to think about decorating your home for the holidays. If you love to celebrate the season by filling your home with beautiful items from nature, plan to attend the Holiday Décor Workshop at Lynde Greenhouse on November 9 at 11 a.m. Four classes will be offered throughout the day where you can learn to create a kissing ball, a spruce-tip pot, a holiday centerpiece or a decorative door swag. Food and beverages will also be served. Each class is $40 and includes materials. Bring gloves and pruning shears. Pre-registration required by November 6.
Call 763.420.4400 to register or for more details.
Rachel Czech is a gardening expert at Lynde Greenhouse and Nursery; 763.420.4400; lyndegreenhouse.com
October presents gardeners with an important choice. They can welcome the end of the season that ushers in the first frost and releases them from the intense growing season or they can fend off the chill and protect plants with blankets and tarps. Because the season started so late this year, gardeners may want to squeeze out every last day to bring fall crops to full ripeness.
Whether you choose the former or latter, gardening expert Rachel Czech offers five important things to remember in your October garden:
“October is still the heart of harvest season. The cooler weather and rainfall also make it a great time to be planting shrubs, trees, perennials and other transplant projects. Temperatures encourage plants to slow their growth, while the warmer ground temperatures create a great environment for root development.”
Tips for your October gardens
- Keep watering until the first hard frost.
- Split up perennials that have overgrown their home. Share with friends!
- This time of year, reserve fertilizer for your lawn. It gives your grass time to store up nutrients for winter. You can also lay sod and spread seed at this time. Shrubs and perennials are preparing for winter and don’t need the fertilizer they did earlier in the season.
- Make sure to clean up the lawn. Leaving leaves on the grass invites diseases.
- Now is the time to plant bulbs for the spring! Tulips, crocus, daffodils and hyacinths are great choices. Choose firm and healthy looking bulbs.
Celebrate the Next Season
Before long, it will be time to think about decorating your home for the holidays. If you love to celebrate the season by filling your home with beautiful items from nature, plan to attend the Holiday Décor Workshop at Lynde Greenhouse on November 9 at 11 a.m. Four classes will be offered throughout the day where you can learn to create a kissing ball, a spruce-tip pot, a holiday centerpiece or a decorative door swag. Food and beverages will also be served. Each class is $40 and includes materials. Bring gloves and pruning shears. Pre-registration required by November 6.
Call 763.420.4400 to register or for more details.
Rachel Czech is a gardening expert at Lynde Greenhouse and Nursery
763.420.4400
lyndegreenhouse.com
