NEWS HOME

Plant Now!
By Margie Lachman

September and October offer prime planting weather, with cool air and warm soil. Roots grow while above ground growth is slow, giving plants a chance to settle into their new home.

Whether you are planting one plant or a dozen, it is imperative to select plants that can tolerate our changing climate.  Recent summers have brought heat events that are longer and hotter than we have known in the past. It is prudent to plant shrubs, perennials and trees that will thrive in these hotter and drier conditions. A good place to begin is with native plants. Herbs are also an excellent choice. OSU Extension Service has lists of drought tolerant plants for our area on their website: extension.oregonstate.edu

Choose a site that offers appropriate sun or shade, proper drainage and soil fertility. Soil preparation is imperative. Adding compost will improve drainage, retain water and gently feed plants. A top-dressing of mulch is important to reduce evaporation, prevent weeds, and improve soil structure.

Watering deeply rather than frequently encourages roots to grow deeper below the surface, and that can help plants survive hot and dry spells. Drip systems and soaker hoses put water where the plants need it most, reducing waste and weeds. Watering in the morning reduces evaporation and gives foliage a chance to dry, preventing diseases.

Lawns demand water, fertilizer and time to keep them groomed. They offer almost nothing to birds and other wild life, but give us a place to walk and play on and a space for our eyes to rest. Reducing the size of a lawn saves time, money and water, while allowing the benefits to remain.

Best of all, autumn is when most nurseries reduce the prices of their plants, giving us an opportunity to save money. Shrubs and trees can be found for half the price at the end of the growing season.

It is easier to see how much space is available for additional plants this time of year when the garden is in full leaf. Shrubs and trees need space to achieve their mature size and to thrive, so factor in how big each plant will be in ten years and plant accordingly. Carefully chosen and placed plants will give years of pleasure as well as adding to the value of your home.

Questions? Email me at  margierose2@gmail.com or call 503-645-2994

Previous article

NEWS HOME