Hello-Goodbye, or is it the other way around?
Sep
23
Written by:
Master Gardener Terry Engels
9/23/2011 10:57 AM
This is the week Summer ends and Fall begins. But take heart; it's not over 'til it's over, there's more to come in the garden!
Thursday was the last day of Summer, on to Autumn. We’ve already had a taste of the crisp sunny weather I associate with Fall--- isn’t it invigorating to get out under that bright sky? I know the first frost scare was last week, but despite the hype, I didn’t see it at my house. The real problem was lack of rain. I finally broke out the hoses and sprinklers about 10 days ago, but it remains dry. The rain we’ve had for the last few days really has not been enough to do the job, so for my trees’ sake I’ll water again before the weekend.
The first day of Fall
Some gardeners think of fall as a down time, and sure, there’s lots to do, chore-wise, during the next six weeks. But let’s not borrow trouble. There’s plenty more to the garden in the fall, some more veggies and lots more flowers. As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might echo (Grrrr), ‘It’s not over ‘til it’s over!”
Anyway, below are some views from my garden. Even for a shade-plagued, clay-ridden, hill-side yard, in the fall there’s life beyond grocery store mums! Embrace the season!
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Autumn crocus |
Bugbane 'Hillside Black Beauty' |
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A tree frog on 'Red Bor' Kale |
Turtlehead |
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Korean Wax Bells |
Foliage plants always look good.
Variegated Viburnum, 'Rosy Glow' Barberry |
If you have questions about fall garden "issues" send them along. And take heart, winter is a long way away. So maybe I’ll see you out and about the neighborhood, enjoying fall beauty.
If you wake early on Saturday morning join us at Whitney Senior Center for a cup of coffee and some garden talk at GARDEN KNOWLEDGE FOR FREE WORKSHOP, SESSIONS AT 8:30, 9:30, AND 10:30, plus Q&A booth, demonstrations, and plant sale. We’ll talk!
Yard and Garden E-newsletter: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/efans/ygnews
UMN Extension website: www.extension.umn.edu
Call the Stearns County Extension office with your horticultural questions: 320-255-6169