In the Garden: The waning summer and a garden of regrets

Sue Goetz

In the Garden

As the season changes to autumn, I hear many regrets of what didn’t get done in the past growing season.

Illness, injury, work schedules and life in general seem to take away moments we would have rather had in the garden. All the projects still sitting on the to-do list only make a garden of regrets.

Remember, the garden always will be there waiting for you. It really doesn’t go anywhere. It may change a bit and flourish much without attention, but it doesn’t disappear. It lays in wait for your notice.

So as fall arrives, throw away the garden of regrets and start with just a few things to do. Then relax and enjoy the slower pace of autumn in the garden.

Tidy up

Don’t cut or prune shrubs and trees too severely in the fall; tidy up branches that are crossing, falling over are diseased or which didn’t produce leaves. Take diseased debris to the garbage, not the compost pile. Deadhead unattractive flowers and keep ones that give fall interest, like hydrangeas and ornamental grasses.

Groundcover TLC

For tough groundcovers, like Rubus, Kinnikinnick, Cotoneaster, Vinca or beach strawberry, gently rake and trim out dead leaves and branches. Consider lightly mowing (set a mower blade higher) to trim the old top growth and allow the new undergrowth to fill in. In open soil pockets, add organic compost. Plug in starter plants in open patches that need to be filled in.

Nourish soil

Didn’t get that compost top dressing down in the spring? Do it now so winter rains can drive in the nutrients from organic compost. If there’s a new area that will be planted next spring, till or dig and pile on the compost at least 3 inches deep, but not more than 5 inches, and let it sit and nourish the beds over the winter.

Divide to multiply

Plant division seems to be one of the intimidating prospects for gardeners.

Did I do it correctly? Is it the right time? What is the point, anyway? A freshly divided plant spends energy toward healthy growth, rather than keeping the extra baggage alive.

A clue to the right time to divide plants is its bloom time. A good rule of thumb: divide spring and summer blooming plants in the fall and fall bloomers in the spring. Fall dividers include daylilies, daffodils and other bulbs, plus lilacs and peonies. Any good garden how-to book will show basics on dividing plants.

Transplanting

How many times have you looked at the garden and decided something needed to be moved but wondered if it was the right time? Late fall is the best time to re-locate evergreens, deciduous trees or shrubs. There is less stress on plants because natural rainfall is returning, and cooler weather and shorter days are signaling plants into dormancy.

The transplant success rate goes up dramatically during this time of year, when plants are moved correctly with minimal root damage and planted right away.

Winter color

Berries, bulbs and winter blooms all add drama and color to the changing seasons. No need to give up on the garden when there are many options to keep the beauty lingering throughout the year.

Look at areas that need a fresh flush of color in another season. Choose plants that add seasonal interest with interesting bark, berries, winter blooms, early spring bloom or evergreen architecture.