While in summer's embrace, it's time to plan fall garden
By MARY COLLISTER
Published August 13, 2004
I used to think that the return to school signaled the beginning of fall. But that's certainly not the case here, since our public schools are in session and there's been absolutely no dip in the temperature. So it's not time for our fall garden chores, we're still in the grip of summer.
We all have successes and failures in gardening, some expected and others unexplainable. My most recent was unexplainable.
The simple task of pinching back my coleus usually leads to dozens of cuttings. I repeated the steps I have done hundreds of times before. I stripped off the bottom leaves from the stems and stuck them in a plastic cup with water, leaving them on the kitchen counter.
Normally, after a week or 10 days I would have enough roots to plant the cuttings in soil. That was my plan. Not this time: More than 80 percent rotted or all the leaves fell off! Refusing to be beaten, I have made more cuttings and this time these will remain in the plastic cups with water on the lanai. Perhaps they will be happier outside.
I guess if I want to be negative, I can mention a few other items that didn't go so well these last few weeks. The weeds, of course, are out of control, requiring much more attention than I would like to bestow on them.
There has been an absolute slug festival in one area of my garden. I do not normally have to use slug bait, but did buy a box in hopes of offering some protection to my defenseless plants. The bait has cut down on the problem a bit.
The heavy rains are always a mixed blessing - a huge savings on the water bill but the perfect climate for fungus and chinch bugs in the grass. Take a close look and treat when necessary.
The multitude of ferns under one oak tree were in need of a thinning as I annually do, but was surprised (very) to find it home to an apparent family of snakes. After wading into the thick of the ferns (my first mistake), I discovered three snakes. Okay, they weren't long, perhaps between six and 10 inches, but snakes don't have to be long (or even menacing) to chase me out of the garden and into the house. Of course, once secure behind concrete block walls I realized they were black snakes and of great value in my garden, so I ventured back out.
It seems as if the last few weeks have been anything but stellar for me in my garden, so I was especially pleased to receive a positive comment from a neighbor about my colorful flowers. That makes all the trials worth it.
If you haven't been in your garden lately, you may be surprised at the number of tasks awaiting you. Since I've decided it's too hot for much outside work, this is a great time to sit inside and plan your fall garden. Look through your seed catalogs and chose a few tried-and-true varieties along with a couple new items.
If you want to plant vegetables in mid-September, your list may include beans, broccoli, cabbage, celery, collards, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, English peas, lettuce, mustard, onions, pepper, radish, Southern peas, summer squash, turnips, tomatoes or strawberries. You don't need a large plot for vegetables; many can be grown in containers or tucked here and there in your landscape.
You may also want to order a few herb seeds or look for a local nursery carrying plants. Add anise, basil, borage, chervil, coriander, fennel, mint, rosemary, sage and thyme. Most of these herbs, other than the anise, borage, chervil, and coriander, made it through the summer in my yard. But I will add a few new plants and remove the tired ones.
If you haven't given bulbs a try in Florida, now is a good time to add them to your fall planting list. I've had luck with amaryllis, Aztec lily, calla, clivia, elephant ears, gladiolus, lilies, iris and zephyr lilies. Bulbs are great in the ground or in pots.
There's a long list of annuals and perennials suited to our falls. Don't forget to add a few different ones to your list. Try the annuals celosia, coleus, cosmos, foxglove, gomphrena, impatiens, marigold, portulaca, salvia, wax begonia and vinca. For perennials, how about blue salvia, chrysanthemum, day lily, gazania, gerbera, liatrus, Shasta daisy, verbena or yarrow.
This is also a time to think about replacing some of your permanent shrubs. If you're looking for flowering shrubs, cape honeysuckle, cassis, pampas grass, hibiscus, gingers, oleander, roses or thryallis can make quite a statement.
Soil preparation can give all the plants you plan on adding next month a good start. Now is a good time to work on the soil in your garden. Add whatever organic matter you can find including stable waste, compost, potting soil, leaves (best if shredded) or kitchen scraps (compost or bury but don't include dairy products, bones or meat). You can never add too much organic material, and this is something you can do year around.
So spend the next few weeks looking through catalogs and garden magazines planning any additions or changes you want to make. Then when it does cool down, you'll be ready with a plan.
