Getting Your Garden Ready For Winter

When the end of summer draws near one could tend to forget about garden care but the truth is that there is plenty of garden maintenance that needs to be done in the fall months. So if you hate to see the end of the gardening season, then you’re in luck because here are some tasks that will keep you out in the garden well into the fall.

Fall Planting And Transplanting

We often think of springtime as the time to plant new plants, but there are many trees and shrubs that prefer to be planted in fall. If you have some of these earmarked for your garden then now is the time to get them in the ground. Also, plenty of plants should be transplanted in the fall so if you are moving around any of these plants get these tasks done well before the first frost.

Cleaning And Pruning

Now is the time to clean out the debris from your garden such as fallen leaves, flowers and branches. Also, if you have annuals that have died off, dig them up to make room for next years plantings. If you have perennials, be sure to cut them back in early fall, before the frost sets in but take care of which plants you cut as many summer blooming shrubs like butterfly bush do better if you don’t cut them back until spring. Using The Worm Factory, a self contained tray system for composting with worms, is a great way to recycle soft leaves , kitchen scraps and paper. The compost produced by the worms (earthworm castings) is one of the best organic, non burning compost/fertilizer you can use in your garden.

Set Your Winter Mulch

Mulching can help give your plants a little more protection from the harsh cold of winter and what better way to use your raked up lawn leaves than for mulch in the garden? Shred the leaves and spread the mulch around the bottom and roots of your plants. You can shred them with the lawnmower or use a chipper. They will also make a nice compost to be worked into the soil next summer. You can also create additional compost of your leaves and flowers by using a composter. The Compost Tumbler has a turning action to help increase the decomposition cycle.

Spring Bulbs

Bulbs that flower in spring like tulips, daffodils and crocus should be planted in fall. Be sure to get them in before the ground freezes.

Watering

It’s important to water your trees and shrubs well in the fall as this helps them to survive winter better. Try to give them a deep soaking or two during the fall and right up until the ground freezes.

Fertilizing

You can fertilize your plants in the fall so that they are ready to grow lush and bountiful in the spring. Be sure you use a winterizing fertilizer that promotes root growth but does not promote leaf growth.

Getting your garden in tip top shape before winter can ensure that your plants survive and ready for healthy growth in spring. Not only that but your garden will be ready to go once those warm days hit and you can spend your time planting and nurturing instead of cleaning up last years dead branches and leaves!

Find out more on composting, vermiculture and greenhouses at Hummingbird Hollow.

The Best Fertilizer Around!

I used to buy fishing worms from a local earthworm farmer. At the time I wasn't too knowledgeable on the end product produced by the worms. Only after further interest in gardening did I discover the benefits of what these little creatures provided.

I asked the farmer if he would consider letting me take his excess by products for use in my garden. His reply was "No." He had discovered the benefits a long time ago. He did agree to let me have any extra compost, for a fee! We agreed on $1.50 a gallon. This has to be some of the best compost and fertilizer around. As the worms go through the various clippings, paper and kitchen waste deposited in the compost bin it becomes some of the most natural enriched material available to the plants.

The by product, earth worm castings, has become a staple of my garden routine. It is hard to overdo the mix into the soil as it produces no burning effect. I wouldn't go overboard but a good even mixture throughout the soil will do wonders for your garden, pot plants or shrubs. The problem is getting it.

Some area garden centers may stock earth worm casting in bags. You may be able to locate a person raising earth worms. If they will part with it you have a valuable source. Do some checking in your area.
You may also consider making your own compost. There are several bins made for this purpose or you can construct your own. Check out the "Earth Worm Factory" at: www.hbhstore.com.

While there are many other products available, it is hard to beat the natural process that earth worms produce for our soils.

Using Gardens To Fight The Recession

From the high cost of gas to the price of groceries, we have all felt the impact of today's economy. 2009 may bring a glimpse of a better year, however, we will still see high prices lingering well past this year and beyond. More people are seeking ways to reduce their living costs. Some are trying the new energy alternatives while others are reducing their budgets.

As an avid gardener, we have an opportunity to fight the recession by growing our own vegetables. If you have garden experience, this will be an easy task. Perhaps you already have a large garden. Your success can lead to additional income by selling your extra produce. If you are a novice, there's no better time to learn than now. You will find gardening a relaxing past time as well as a cost cutter.

Vegetable production gained the largest increase in home gardening in 2008. There are many different ways to grow. Most are the traditional rows. If you have rocks, poor soil or limited space you can still enjoy the rewards of fresh vegetables. Raised beds can overcome the soil problem. This is also an excellent way to start the garden off right. There are a number of places that sell bulk soil for garden use. Locate one in your area and get a small pickup load to start. Ask for soil that has organic amendments. You can also add your own. I use earthworm casting. This is one of the most beneficial by products that you can use in a garden. There are many others.

If space is a problem, consider container gardening. While the amount of produce grown may be more limited, you can still grow a number of varieties in containers. There is also a new product on the market that you can hang to grow almost any variety of plants. This is a bag that soil is placed in. The plants are inserted into holes within the bag. Watering is done from the top. I have used these bags for success with tomatoes and beans.

If you have some room in established flower beds, you may also integrate some vegetables here. To get the best results from any garden space it is essential to have a good soil. Here again, you can add an organic soil such as peat moss, earthworm casting or garden mulch. I would stay away from pine mulch. It is acidic and most vegetables prefer rich composted materials.

Find the style of gardening that fits your needs and your budget. Start small and grow as you go.You may even want to get the kids involved. Maybe they will even eat what they grow!

Go online and you will find many resources to aid you in planning your garden. Take a visit to your local nursery. They will be able to point out the best plants to grow in your area.

Winterizing Your Plants

By now, most gardeners have harbored their outdoor plants for the winter. My experiences have found that you can place plants inside or in your garage as long as the temperature doesn't drop below freezing. This depends on the variety of plant you are wintering. Heaters will do but become costly especially when the garage door is opened. The extent of the season is the problem. Unless your plants have some light and still get watered, you may loose a few.

I like to be able to keep up with my plants in a manner that I can tend to them. Inside my home has proven to be a lot of trouble. Watering them is the main issue. Despite placing the saucers under them, water manages to creep onto the wood floors. Other methods such as plastic create moisture problems underneath. Then there is the issue of light. If they aren't placed near a window some of the plants become weak and spindly. It is best to trim or cut back such plants in hopes that they will revive come springtime.

Although your plants tend to go dormant during winter, they still need attention. While inside the home or garage, check them for water. Dry heated conditions still evaporate the moisture in the soil. They won't need as much water, however, they do need some. Place your finger in the soil to see if it is still wet or has become dry. Water accordingly. Fertilizer is not needed during winter storage. It is best to let the plants rest. Some plants will survive without light or with very little light as long as you keep an eye on them.

I have found the best way to care for them is to purchase a small greenhouse. The ones I have looked at are rather expensive. Make shift plastic has never worked for me especially with the high winds we have at our home. In researching, I have managed to locate several inexpensive houses that will do for winter storing. There seem to be two types. One is more portable and can be erected like a tent. It is not meant for year round storage and needs to be put up after winter use to keep it lasting much longer. The other I have located is a more durable greenhouse that can be kept up year round. While the portable house is made from a metal strip in the back and front, the rest of the structure consists of plastic rods. This house is very durable if properly set up. It is easy to erect. The more durable variety is has steel poles. This can be an expensive purchase, however, I have located one brand that uses steel frames and a woven plastic cover. Much less expensive than glass or poly covers. These two varieties work very well for storing winter plants. You can walk in the greenhouse, easily check the water and conditions. Light is now available and your plants will recover for spring a lot faster.

If you would like more information on some greenhouses like this, go to: www.hbhstore.com and click on the greenhouse links, especially the portable and the durable links. These are probably the least expensive I have found for the purpose.

All greenhouses need some heat. I use a electric space heater with a control. I would recommend that you purchase a new one rather than using an old rusty heater. You will rest better!
I place a thermometer inside and adjust the temperature to stay around 40-45 d. Depends on the tenderness of the plants. Another problem to look for in any storage situation is the presence of spider mites and aphids. When a plant does not get moisture on the leaves and stays dry so long, these pesty insects seem to pop out of no where. You will see them on the buds or top leaves. There may also be a dark, dirty looking layer over the leaves. When the temperatures are warmer, I spray the plants with water occasionally. Then I use a natural insecticide. One of the best I have found is Safers Insecticidal Soap. Spray the leaves infected as directed.

Welcome to My Garden Blog

I have had the pleasure of being both a professional landscaper and a hobby gardener for over 30 years. While I can no longer lift those heavy boulders to build a water pond, I can still share my experiences of them as well as gardening. In addition to this blog, I have created a site for garden information and resources. It deals with all things garden. (http://www.gardeningtoolsworld.com) With this site you can now search from one web location. There are articles, tips and resources when looking for your gardening needs. Heck ,you can even search for anything else you need from this site! I welcome your comments, advise and questions because I am here to help in any way.

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