Fall Garden Care

Even though the shorter days and cooler nights of autumn are approaching, there is still plenty to do in the yard and garden. In fact, fall is the perfect time for aerating your lawn, testing your soil and planting trees, shrubs or bulbs.  Grow a fall vegetable garden using cool-season crops such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, and Brussels sprouts that can withstand some cold. In fact, their flavor may be enhanced after a frost. They cannot stay in the garden all winter, but do not need to be picked immediately when frost comes. Kale, spinach, evergreen bunching onions, lettuce, parsley, parsnips, carrots and salsify are some crops that may survive all winter in the garden. Mulch these overwintering vegetables with 8" of mulch to prevent heaving of the soil. Most of these vegetables can be dug or picked as needed throughout the winter or in early spring.

Be on the lookout for insect pests in the garden.  Due to the drought conditions we are seeing some pest problems in vegetables.  We are seeing spider mites on a variety of crops.  Spider mites love to take advantage of the dry conditions that stress plants.  Spider mites are very tiny microscopic arthropods with needle-like mouthparts that feed by piercing the leaves of host plans and sucking out the fluids from plant cells.  Feeding causes yellow spots on the leaves and may appear white on some leaves and lead to premature leaf drop.  The problem can be handled with insecticidal soap or miticides.  We’ve also had reports of tomato blossom end rot which can be blamed in part to the dry weather.

Remember that roses require special care in the fall. In early fall, suspend fertilization. Continuing to fertilize causes new growth that could be killed by winter's cold. After foliage drops, spray with fungicide; then cover plants with a minimum of 8" of loose, well-drained soil, mulch or compost. Prune canes back to 36" to prevent damage from winter winds.

Do not give up on your perennial garden after Labor Day. Early fall is the time to do some sprucing up so you can still enjoy your garden through October. Prune overgrown plants to make them stand up again and give you additional blooms. Remove dead stems and spent flower heads to encourage additional blooms through the fall on such plants as echinacae, salvia, Shasta daisies, monarda, and veronica.

Add fall garden color by planting mums, asters, pansies, ornamental kale and cabbage, Russian sage, dianthus, black-eyed Susan, anemones and blue mist spirea. A hay bale or two and some pumpkins and gourds will round out a beautiful fall garden.

The perfect time for renovating that perennial garden is in October after the first frost of the year. As the foliage dies and dries up, you can dig and divide most perennial plants that have overgrown an area or have started to decline from being overcrowded.  The foliage can be cut back and the roots can be dug up and cut into sections for replanting in a bigger area or giving to friends.

Spring and early-summer blooming perennials, such as peonies and poppies, are usually divided in the fall or when foliage dies (mid-September through mid-October). Plants that flower in mid to late summer and fall, such as chrysanthemums and asters, should be divided in the spring before growth begins. Iris and daylilies usually are divided immediately after flowering.

Cut ornamental grasses back to within 3 inches of the crown in late November or leave them standing until spring to create winter interest. Many gardeners love to see the snow on their tall grasses through the winter months. Leaving some of the skeletonized plants in the garden over winter may be beneficial. Not only are all those seed heads lovely to look at, but they're even more attractive when over wintering birds descend to feed on them or to seek shelter in the dead foliage. Scores of perennials provide protein and oil-rich seeds for birds. The giant perennial sunflower (which blooms in October and November), willowleaf sunflower, coreopsis, asters, liatris, blackberry lily, coneflowers of all kinds, and many others provide a natural (and free) feast for your avian friends.

Compost can be added in the fall, especially if you cut back perennials.  Fall compost application saves you one spring chore. Although compost will add some nutrients, it has many other beneficial effects, such as adding organic matter and microorganisms.

Tender summer bulbs (gladiolus, caladiums, cannas, crocosmias, dahlias, and tuberous begonias) need to be dug in the fall and stored in a cool place where temperatures are above freezing.

Spring bulbs (daffodils, tulips, and crocus) should be planted before the end of November to allow them time to get established. Do not plant them too early, or they may start growing above ground.  If you have rodents and similar pests, avoid tulips (which they love) or plant them with ground oyster shells (which they supposedly hate) or on wire cages or strawberry containers.

Water all perennials and grasses planted this year at least twice a month during the winter. Because its roots have not yet adhered to the soil, a new perennial will not survive its first winter without water.

Volunteers Needed for Day of Caring September 14
Master Gardeners are being asked to help with Day of Caring activities at Yankauer Nature Preserve on September 14th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.  We will be working on the butterfly garden and help control various invasive weeds. Please call Mary Beth at 304-264-1936 and leave your contact information if you can help out on September 14th.

The Woods in Your Backyard Workshop
A 2 part workshop is being hosting by WV Division of Forestry for landowners in Berkeley County. The workshop is called the Woods in Your Backyard and was developed by extension educators in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. It is designed ideally for landowners of 1-10 acres who want to improve the health of their woodlands or convert their mowed lawns into natural areas.  The workshop is two sessions one week apart being held Thursdays, September 23 and 30th from 6 – 9 PM at the Faith Christian Academy.  Cost of the Workshop is $20 for an individual or family with registration at least one week prior to the workshop date.  For more information on the Workshop, go to www.berkeleyextension.com for a copy of "The Woods in Your Backyard" Workshop brochure.  If you have questions please contact Craig Highfield, chighfield@chesapeakebay.net., Forestry for the Bay www.forestryforthebay.org  telephone  410-267-5723 or contact Herb Peddicord at WV DOF at 304-541-9285.

Berkeley County Extension Office Closed Monday September 6th
The Berkeley County Extension Office will be closed Monday September 6th. The office will reopen on Tuesday, September 7th at 8:00 am.  We hope that you and yours will enjoy a safe and happy holiday.

Garden Tips

 Renovate lawn or reseed bare spots

·         Seed cover crop

·         Turn compost

·         Prepare root cellar

·         Aerate lawn

·         Divide peonies

·         Build a high tunnel

Until next time ...Happy Gardening and Farming and Happy Labor Day!