Cleaning up the garden 91裸聊视频� or 91裸聊视频減utting the garden to bed91裸聊视频� 91裸聊视频� has traditionally been a fall endeavor. In recent years, however, as information about the migrating or hibernating habits of birds, pollinators and other beneficial wildlife has seeped into the mainstream, many gardeners are postponing their big cleanups until spring. And that91裸聊视频檚 a good thing.
But there are quite a few tasks that still should be tended to now. Some are holdovers from the old protocol; others are new ways of tackling conventional chores that have evolved with our better understanding of the ecosystem.
Take leaf removal. Raking (and more recently, blowing) has long been a harbinger of fall. However, bagging and trashing those leaves 91裸聊视频� and the shelter they would provide for overwintering insects, not to mention the pollinator eggs attached to their undersides 91裸聊视频� has given way to the movement in recent years.
Homeowners are realizing that sending a plastic bag of organic matter to a landfill not only ensures it will outlast themselves, but also amounts to throwing away free fertilizer. Allowing leaves to remain where they fall around perennials, trees and shrubs, and moving them from lawns to beds and borders enriches the soil with plant-boosting nutrients. They also provide shelter and habitat for overwintering pollinators.
Instead of cutting every perennial to ground level before the first frost, gardeners are now being selective. Allowing the dried seed heads of plants like purple coneflower (Echinacea), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), anise hyssop (Agastache), goldenrod (Solidago) and others to stand all winter will provide food for nonmigratory birds.
Leaving ornamental grasses standing provides shelter for wildlife and traps snow, which insulates and protects roots.
A few plants, however, should be cut down in the fall. Hostas are a favorite hideaway for overwintering slugs and pests, while winter-standing irises protect the dreaded iris borer eggs.
Plants susceptible to mildew, like peonies, phlox and bee balm, are best cut back, even if they weren91裸聊视频檛 infected.
The above-ground growth of plants that were diseased this past season also needs to go, regardless of the pathogen. Don91裸聊视频檛 allow their fallen leaves or plant parts to remain on the ground, or they91裸聊视频檒l infect the soil and next year91裸聊视频檚 plants. Never compost them.
Fall is also the time to dig up and store tender bulbs like gladiolas, dahlias, cannas, tuberous begonias and elephant ears.
Pull up spent annuals and collect their seeds. Store them in a paper envelope or glass jar in a cool, dark place for next season.
And weed. There91裸聊视频檚 an old expression that goes, 91裸聊视频淥ne year91裸聊视频檚 seedling makes seven years of weeding.91裸聊视频� That91裸聊视频檚 an understatement, as some weed seeds can remain viable in the soil for decades. Pull them up by their roots before they set seed. You91裸聊视频檒l thank yourself next year.
Harvest the last of your summer vegetables. Eat what you can and what you can91裸聊视频檛.
and spring-flowering bulbs.
Clear summer-crop beds of debris. And, if you really want to hit the ground running next spring, , amend it if indicated, and spread a 3-inch layer of compost over the bare soil.
Apply 3 inches of mulch around plants and trees, but wait until after the ground freezes. It will keep soil temperatures even and protect roots from heaving during the freeze-thaw cycles of winter. Push the mulch a few inches away from shrub and tree trunks, or they may rot.
Terra cotta absorbs water, and pots can become damaged when that water freezes and expands. Store them indoors.
Finally, prepare yourself for the magic of spring. I91裸聊视频檓 not being hokey. It really is magic: Those leaves you spend hours cleaning up or pushing aside now will magically reappear in a few months, and you91裸聊视频檒l find yourself raking again. I can91裸聊视频檛 explain why. You just will.
