I’ve said this time and time again, but every year I get people who reach out in desperation thinking it’s too late to plant. So, if you’re thinking it is, you’re not alone.

Here’s the biggest secret in gardening. Can you handle this? Fall is actually THE BEST time of the year to plant. There are so many factors that are on your side. The ground temperatures are warm and the air temps are cool—meaning minimal stress for you or plants. It’s also a perfect time to share a lesson in gardening with your kids and offers many opportunities to finish off with a nice backyard fire or to fire up the grill afterwards.

Here are a few things you still have time to do this fall:

• Plant ornamental grasses and evergreens soon to give them enough time to establish themselves before the snow flies. A good root fertilizer like Root and Grow will also help them get some really strong roots this season.
• Divide spring blooming perennials now for beautiful color next spring.
• Fertilize your lawn now. Fertilizer in the fall yields good results come next spring. Also, consider seeding, sodding, or over seeding your lawn now for great results yet this season (just be sure to not try to spray for weeds at the same time, those same products that can kill or prevent weeds can also ensure your new seeds don’t grow.)
• You have until the ground is hard to plant fall bulbs—plant them now to enjoy their colors next season.
• Plant a second round of late season veggies like radishes, lettuce, kale, spinach, arugula, Swiss chard and snow peas.
• Update your planters with a warm fall look. Mums, Ornamental Swiss Chard, Kale and Asters are beautiful this time of year.

Still cautious? Plant inside over winter.

If you manage to miss fall, there are still ways you can continue growing inside over the winter.

Grow an indoor vegetable container garden

Winter veggies and herbs are the easiest to care for as they don’t require a lot of sunlight. In many cases a sunny window might be enough for them, or there are a wide variety of growing lights that can help give them an extra boost.

Fruiting vegetables like tomatoes can also be grown inside with a bit more work. With these you’ll definitely want to use growing lights and when they start to flower, you can help pollinate them by brushing your fingers inside each flower.

In both instances, water as you would outside, just be mindful that your furnace may make the air in your home dryer.

AND every season is good for house plants!

A few Fall No- No’s

We are now past the point in which it’s safe to prune during this growing season. Any plants pruned now will likely begin to grow again this season and therefore not be hardened off prior to cold weather, so hands off until the cold is here to stay…or better yet, early spring!

Some people will tell you to prune back perennials in the fall. While this is an option, I recommend waiting until spring to do so. That way the foliage from this past summer will help protect the plant all winter long.

When in Doubt, Reach Out

For this and other growing ideas, visit our Garden Center or give us a call at 563-690-1500. We are here to help.