Planting the Fall Garden

Every spring I wait in anticipation for the ground to become warm enough to plant.  I water and fertilize all summer, and by August, most of my flowers have suffered under the hot summer sun.  Tired of pulling weeds, and fighting off the mosquitos, I’m embarrassed to say, my flowers are looking pretty pitiful.  But then comes fall.  When parts of the country are cleaning and putting up their tools,  I have become rejuvenated.   Violas, pansies, chrysanthemums, and perennials line the tables at the local nurseries.

 

Every year, I buy a few new perennials for my garden.  If you are like me,  and don’t have an unlimited supply of money, perennials are a great way to multiply plants in your garden, and I choose the ones that are easily to divide.

 

Rudbekia,  purple coneflower, and bee balm, were three of the plants I chose this year.   I chose them because they are easy to divide and they thrive in my sunny yard.   Butterflies and bees are also drawn to them.  With the exception of the rudbekia, all of these grow tall and should either be staked or placed up against a fence or gate for support.  The rudbekia looks great against a large rock in the garden or as a filler around larger tall plants.

I have started to add more salmon or orange to the garden and the orange blanket flower is a good choice.  It has survived the summer heat and is still blooming.

You can become overwhelmed when you visit the garden center, so it might be good to take a list of things you want.  Do you want flowers for the sun, shade, tall or short?  Do you want to attract bees, or butterflies, or deter deer?  Just check out the tags which have all the information you need,  or ask the staff, who should be very knowledgeable.  (This is why I go to the nursery instead of the big box stores.)

So, head out to your local nursery, list in hand, and go play in the dirt.  With less humidity, heat and mosquitoes, it is the perfect time for planting!

Happening Gardening!

Karen

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