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Putting the garden to bed
by Margie Lachman

Autumn is the perfect time to assess the garden for successes and failures. Preparing the garden for winter now saves work in the spring. Take a walk around and with paper and pencil in hand, take notes. Which plants have come through the blistering temperatures that summer dealt us? Our shade cloth that was installed over rhododendrons, a new dogwood tree, and hydrangeas, especially chartreuse-leaved hydrangea ‘Little Honey,’ helped greatly in August when temperatures soared.

The lawn revealed an area that did not receive sufficient water; adjusting the sprinkler heads will fix that. The large tomatoes sat in the vegetable garden dropping their flowers when the first heat event occurred, producing no fruit until September when moderate temperatures returned. This south area of the garden is usually ideal for growing tomatoes but this year was too hot! The peppers and eggplants thrived.

Hardy Verbena ‘Homestead Purple’

There are many plants that will be fine in long stretches of intense heat. Succulents like ‘Vera Jamison’ or ‘Neon’ are stars in the dry garden and attract butterflies and bees. Hardy Verbena ‘Homestead Purple’ loves the heat and is blooming well.

Weeds need to be removed before they disperse seeds, making more work for us. They can be composted if no seed heads or diseases are present. Peony foliage must be removed below soil level and disposed of in the trash; doing this now will prevent fungal disease that causes flower buds to wilt next spring. Mulch applied after October 15th, or when the soil has cooled, will help prevent new weeds from germinating.

All trees and shrubs should be inspected for weak branches that could be broken by the winter winds. Don’t try to remove large tree limbs; you could be injured which can be costly in many ways! Have a certified arborist do any work on large trees. Trees are important assets to your property, giving shade, adding value and beauty to the garden. Healthy trees and shrubs are worth caring for properly.

Remember, gardening is a living art, and change is inevitable. The older I get, the less energy I have, so I aim to make gardening chores easier. Everything I do now makes spring easier and more enjoyable. Can’t wait for those tulips and daffodils to appear!

Questions? Call me at 503-645-2994 or email me at margierose2@gmail.com.

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