As summer draws to a close, we hope you’re looking forward to a vibrant and beautiful autumn!
With the cooler temperatures and the benefits of monsoon moisture, this time of year is an excellent time to plant trees and shrubs. Your soil temperatures are actually warmer now than in spring, which helps tree roots acclimate more easily and reduces the risk of “transplant shock.” The cooler air temperatures also mean less stress on your new trees.
Next, let’s focus on your garden beds. Do you have fall blooms? Many gardeners fill their beds in spring, leading to vibrant displays early in the year but leaving gaps in the fall. To extend your garden’s lifespan, consider adding fall favorites like mums, asters and pansies. These hardy plants can withstand early frosts, with pansies especially resilient to chilly weather.
Before the first frost arrives, it’s also time to plant your spring-blooming bulbs. If you want to enjoy irises, tulips, daffodils and crocus next spring, be sure to plant them by the end of September or early October.Bulb planting is budget-friendly and straightforward, providing a burst of color when spring arrives.
The following are additional fall gardening tips:
Refresh Your Container Gardens: A simple way to revitalize your containers is by swapping out spent plants for late bloomers like mums, salvia and snapdragons.
Deadhead Perennials: Many perennials can bloom into fall, but they require deadheading to encourage further flowering.
Control Weeds: Keep your garden tidy by managing weeds now. Weeds can quickly reseed, leading to a bigger problem next spring. In light of recent wildfires, staying on top of weeding is also a wise safety measure.
Before the first frost arrives, it’s also time to plant your spring-blooming bulbs. If you want to enjoy irises, tulips, daffodils and crocus next spring, be sure to plant them by the end of September or early October. Bulb planting is budget-friendly and straightforward, providing a burst of color when spring arrives.
Here’s our quick-and-dirty, four-step guide to planting spring-blooming bulbs.
Plan – Spring bulbs blossom at different times during the season. If you plan ahead and combine a variety of bulbs in your garden bed, you’ll give yourself about 100 days of spring beauty. Early spring blooms include hyacinth and crocus, while the middle of spring brings muscari, tulips and narcissus. Late season blooms include allium, bearded iris and Dutch iris.
Plant – Spring blooming bulbs need well-draining soil and at least partial sun to bloom their best. Amend your soil and mix to a depth of 12 inches. Place the bulb facing upward with the pointy end or “nose” sticking up in a hole about three times as deep as the bulb is tall.
Feed – Your spring bulbs need to be fertilized with bone meal or Dutch bulb food, which are both high in phosphorus. Either one can be added to the bottom of the hole and mixed with a small scoop of mulch before placing the bulb and covering it with soil.
Water – Give your bulbs a good soak right after planting. Other than that, as long as we receive at least 2 inches of snow every 10 days, your bulbs won’t need additional water during the winter. If we have a dry winter, water your bulbs thoroughly at least once per month.
You’ll be so glad you took these steps when you see your garden come to life in the early spring next year!
Finally, we hope you can join us as we celebrate the end of this gardening season. We’ll be holding our annual Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Warner’s Nursery with lots of fun for the whole family, including our hay maze, pumpkin patch, 4H petting zoo, kiddie caboose, balloon artists, face painters, fun activities and refreshments.
As summer draws to a close, we hope you’re looking forward to a vibrant and beautiful autumn!
Happy gardening! FBN
By Misti Warner-Andersen
Misti Warner-Andersen is the manager of Warner’s Nursery & Landscape Co., located at 1101 E. Butler Ave. in Flagstaff. To contact Warner’s Nursery, call 928-774-1983.
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