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Gardening

Fall season means tackling plenty of garden chores

By MARY COLLISTER
Published September 20, 2006

This is about the time of year when most of us get very tired of the heat and humidity. Even Florida natives are screaming, "Enough is enough."

But, of course, we all realize it doesn't really matter what we think, because the heat will be around for many more weeks, so we might as well tackle our gardening chores.

There are many things to do in September to ensure you go through the fall and into winter with a healthy, attractive garden.

Start with your annuals. If they are looking bad, replace them with zinnia, vinca, alyssum, coleus, impatiens, marigolds, portulaca, salvia or sunflower.

The sunflowers in my yard are pretty much out of control! They have self-seeded and weren't around much the last couple of years but have gone crazy this year.

When I initially planted the original half dozen plants, the tallest was about 3 feet high. The ones this year are more than 6 feet tall. I really don't understand it, but they are beautiful.

Another project that needs to be started - or continued - is the vegetable garden. Look for beans, celery, peppers, onions, lettuce, peas, tomatoes and endive in the garden center. Some of you might prefer to start from seed, though there will be a large variety now available in 4-inch pots. Don't forget the broccoli, cabbage and summer squash.

You may need a little seasoning to go with those vegetables, so don't forget to plant some herbs also. I always stick with my favorites, like basil, lemon basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme.

But don't leave the garden center without a pot of marjoram, mint, bay laurel or perhaps chives.

Rosemary has become a permanent shrub in my garden, both front and back yards. I am still having trouble with it in the bed on the east side of the house. This bed probably has the most fertile soil in it, and I'm wondering if the rosemary is being killed with kindness.

Now is also a good time to add bulbs. Most bulbs perform better in fertile soil, so improve the soil where you plant them. These bulbs can remain in the same spot for many years, so a good start will be helpful.

Try gladiolus, lilies, iris, narcissus, canna, Aztec lily, elephant ears, African lily or amaryllis. Some of these will reappear in my garden, though with others I've not had as much luck.

Society garlic is another bulb, and I've never heard anyone say they've had trouble with it. In fact, it spreads very nicely. It can make a good border plant, albeit some would say "stinky." I happen to like the smell of garlic, so I welcome it in my yard.

Annuals, whether newly planted or established, may need a shot of fertilizer to get them through the rest of the summer. Perennials also will perform at their peak if given some extra nutrients now.

While the fertilizer is in your hand, don't forget your potted plants. If they have been out in the rain, most of their nutrients have probably been washed away from the soil in the pots.

Check your shrubs for lacebug infestations. You might want to give your shrubs a shower now with a soapy solution from a high pressure hose to rid the plants of any loitering pests and just generally clean them off.

I hate to bring it up, as all of us seem to have suffered vast amounts of lawn damage from chinch bugs, but fall brings on more nuisances.

Look closely at your lawn for sod webworms, armyworms, or grass loopers, as they seem to attack all varieties of grass. Be on the lookout for mole crickets also and always treat if you see a problem.

This is the time to prepare your strawberry beds and get ready to plant. Strawberries are generally treated as an annual in Florida and ideally are planted in raised beds with the plants surrounded with black plastic.

Mix in a 6-8-8 fertilizer before planting; slow release is the best. Have your bed prepared so that when the plants arrive in the nursery, you can scoop up the healthiest. Strawberries also do well in containers.

This is also a good time to prune cold-sensitive plants. If you have shrubs in your yard that seem to be "nipped" by our cold weather each winter, now is the time to prune them. This final pruning of 2006 will give the new growth time to harden off so it is less susceptible to cold damage.

Not the time to relax! Continue to keep up with your outdoor chores so you don't get overwhelmed. In the long run this is better and will give you more free time to enjoy your garden this fall and winter.

Mary Collister can be reached via North of Tampa, 14358-B N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33618.

[Last modified September 20, 2006, 08:54:33]