As Summer fades away,and the signs of Fall remind us of the Winter to come, it is time to get our garden ready for the cold months ahead. Here in New England the leaves are turning, but the weather is still quite warm. The foliage is not as nice as in recent years (I don't know why), but my huge Maple trees are dropping their leaves without even turning colors! They usually turn a bright golden yellow, and then drop, but this year they seemed to have skipped that step!
Raking won't be as fun! Even picture taking with the kids won't be quite right!
The Knockout Roses just won't quit! The other roses have been producing hips, not flowers, but those knockouts wow! Such spectacular roses! See the new red growth, and all the new flower buds?
This is a great rose for the garden, or the landscape. Even without deadheading, those flowers just keep coming. I like roses that I don't have to fuss with.
Do you use the rose hips from your roses?
In late fall, after the hips have turned a bright red color, (usually after the first hard frost)you can collect them and use them in recipes. One such recipe is to make Rose Hip Tea. Did you know that Rose hips are loaded with vitamin C?
Fall Gardening Tips
Depending on the way You garden, you may want to leave most of the work until Spring, but I find that getting things done Now will make my life easier come Spring.
Tip #1 Cut back perennials, leaving a few inches of the plant (don't cut level with the ground)
I leave some with lots of seedheads such as Echnichea, and Brown-Eyed Susans, for food for the birds. The rest get cut down, and thrown into the compost pile.
Tip#2 With the garden looking barren, it's a good time to plant some Spring flowering bulbs such as Tulips.
It's like a little bonus in the Spring, when they magically appear. Here's a good place to buy Tulip Bulbs
Tip#3 It's not to late to plant perennials. Make sure you keep them well watered, and mulch with a layer of leaves. Don't fertilize until Spring!
Tip #4 Keep the compost pile going! Don't think that you can't compost in the fall/Winter! You can help those fallen leaves decompose faster by running them over with the lawn-mower. By mowing the grass with the fallen leaves, you'll have a nice mix for the compost pile.
Wondering about composting? Do you know How to make Compost? Are you unsure of what materials to throw in it?
Tip#5 It will soon be time to think about Winterizing your Roses
I don't cover all my roses, I try to plant varieties that I know are hardy enough to withstand the cold, but I like to help the newly planted ones by mounding up some soil around the canes. I get the soil from the vegetable garden, not from around the plant! For a special rose, I don't mind giving them a little extra protection.
Tip #6 After the first few heavy frosts, it's time to wind up all those garden hoses, and shut off the water supply. Statuary has to be taken down and brought in also. Most of my fountains/etc. are cement/stone, and can't stay out all winter. The base will fill with water, freeze, and crack! It's an all afternoon job (for hubby) bringing it all in! Come Spring, it's another day to bring it all back out.
For more Fall Gardening Tips Look here
One of my favorite Shrubs is the Hydrangea Tree. I just love those huge flower clusters. The little white floretts slowly turn a lovely shade of pink they age.
Every year I pick a large bouguet and bring them inside. I don't put water in the vase,because I want them to dry. They last all year!
Be sure to visit my web site:allaboutrosegardening.com for lots more gardening tips, and plenty of pictures of gardens and roses. Who knows you just might be inspired to start a new garden!
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