BT Toronto Blogs

Fall is the time to spring into gardening!!  Seriously most think spring is the best time to garden but fall is just as good and in my mind a better time to garden.  Fall is the perfect planting season as ground temperatures are warm, rain is more frequent, evenings are cool and daylight is not as strong meaning plants have the best chance of establishing healthy roots before winter sets in.  Fall is a great time to save.  Many Garden Centres and Home Do-it centres are looking to get rid of their garden gear and plant material before the deep meaning now is the time to SAVE BIG!!  Discounts in the range of 30 to 70% are typical.  The next savings…time invested now will save you time in the spring!!

My checklist:

Flower Garden:

-         Amend Soil with manure or triple mix…frost and thaws of winter will naturally help to mix the soil in.

-         Plant Spring flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, crocus, alliums etc.

-         Design, plan and plant new gardens. From trees, shrubs to evergreens and ornamentals including perennials now is the perfect time to save $$ and plant.

-         Plant pansies, mums, flowering cabbage and kale for late season garden interest.

-         Divide perennials.

-         Remove weeds.

-         Edge.

-         Water established trees and shrubs, cut out any fertilization.

-         Compost

Vegetable Garden:

-Amend Soil.

-Plant Garlic.

-Remove weeds.

-In harvested sections sow green manure to replenish nutrients.

-Keep it clean.  Remove leaves, spent flowers, and rotten veggies.

-Compost.

Lawns

-         Repair patches and reseed.

-         Fall application of slow release fertilizer.

-         High use / compacted areas aerate.

-         If leaves start to fall remove off the lawn before they become matted.  Matted leaves suffocate and kill lawns.

Containers:

-         Spent tired looking containers can be emptied and flipped for winter storage.  Remember clay and some plastic containers will freeze solid and crack if water or soil remains overwinter.  For clay best storage is indoors.

-         Entrance urns or containers add in a fall look by planting with fall flowering annuals, accessorizing with gourds, pie pumpkins, Indian corn etc.

Finally enjoy fall final explosion of colour!!!

In the coming weeks I will follow up with an additional late fall checklist detailing things you should do to overwinter your garden and also to insure your gardening tools will remain in tip top shape for next season.

Keep Blooming,

Frankie

Do you have a gardening tip, trick or questions??

Email me at frankieflowers@citytv.com

You can also follow me on twitter at frank.ferragine.