Autumn
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Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
close bosom-friend of the maturing sun
Keats
Well, I am afraid that fog mists seem to be the only moisture we are to receive this season. It’s been an ‘all or nothing’ year of rainfall! That surely puts a crimp in utilizing this perfect planting season unless you are dedicated and have the capacity to water on a regular basis. If you are, then plant away!
Fall is bulb season. Bulbs are short underground stems that store food during the dormant season. Each bulb harbors next season’s flower. For novice gardeners it’s a drastically hopeful act to put a dead looking sphere into the ground to await the beauty of daffodils and tulips come spring. Choose a sunny site with amended, good draining soil. Consider bloom times-early, midseason, or late-to extend the season. Generally bulbs have a pointy end and a flat or root end, so pointy end up. If in doubt, then plant on its side and most will right themselves. Depth is an important consideration. The general rule is to plant 2 to 3 times as deep as a bulb is tall,
so tulips and daffodils are planted about 6 to 8 inches deep and smaller bulbs 3 to 4 inches. As with any new plant, water in well and keep to a regular watering schedule. One of the drawbacks to bulb flowers are the unsightly leaves that mar the garden bed after bloom, so try some companion plants to mask this problem. Sedum, coreopsis, thyme, day lilies, coral bells and catmint are some suggestions. I particularly love tulips and so do our underground critters! A chickenwire cage to surround the bulbs is one way to protect the bulb while allowing normal
growth. Another suggestion is to plant in pots perhaps using the “lasagna” method. There are many online sites for more complete directions, but basically fill a large container with about 8 inches of potting soil and plant late-blooming tulips and daffodils. Add about 6 inches of soil and plant mid-season tulips and hyacinths for instance. Add 4 more inches to plant early bloomers like scilla, mascara or crocus. Add 2 inches of soil and plant freesia or anemones then cover with soil and mulch. If you still have energy (and money!) add pansies for winter interest. This method could only have two layers or be reproduced in the garden bed.
Of course we are used to eating bulbs like onions and shallots and this is the season to plant them as well, but I have always wanted to try ornamental onions all in the allium family. Their lollipop flowers top thin stems which just shout “spring”. They are deer and rabbit resistant, but sadly are loved by our feisty underground varmints, so caging them is a must if you want continuous seasons of bloom. One spectacular variety is ‘Purple Sensation’ topped with vibrant 4 inch diameter flowers. ‘Millenium’ is another variety that is a butterfly magnet.
Master Gardeners continue to root, pot and water plants for their spring plant sale which proves there’s hope all around!
By: Eleanor Moyer