The most common comment people say to us when we are in the front garden in the summer is, "It sure looks nice. Bet it's a lot of work." I always reply (truthfully): "It isn't work when you like it."
But, now, as far as I'm concerned, is when the real work is happening in the garden.
It's time to put the garden to bed. We have had a long stretch of dry weather, albeit foggy. But fog it is, and not rain. And given between the two, I'll take fog any day. It has been perfect weather to clean up, pull up and cut back.
It is time to pull up and compost all of your annuals, and cut back most of your perennials. Any diseased foliage, such as tomatoes that may have got the blight, should go out in your city green bin, and not be composted in your backyard. This includes diseased rose leaves and fruit tree leaves, as well.
You can make the call about twigs and tough leaves, such as rhodendrens which take several years to decompose. Anything of an invasive species, such as ivy, also should go into the city bin, as well as any weeds that have blossomed or gotten as far as to set seeds.
As for your hanging baskets, if there is anything left living in them, such as the geraniums, you can overwinter them in your garage if you like. Water them sparingly
every month or so, and keep them from freezing. Some folks keep them in the total dark, others place them near a window. You can make the call based on what space you have available.
Check the soil before you put any plants in a more sheltered area. We actually
haven't had rain for quite a while and I know that a lot of ours were very dry. A light watering before you put them away is advised.
If you have taken any house plants outside, such as Christmas cactus, it's time to bring them back in, also. Clean the exterior of the pots and make sure you don't bring in any bugs with them.
If you have dahlias, you can start digging them up now. I've always thought the rule of thumb was that you had to wait until the first frost, but the dahlia gardeners I know have started already. My husband has been amazed at the size of the tubers he has been digging up. Our long hot summer must have definitely benefitted them.
Pick all the flowers, of course, before you compost all your plants. Bring them all into the house for one giant, last bouquet.
Pace yourself, stretch before you go out, wear gloves to protect your hands and get it all done before the rain comes! Deb Brodie is a local gardener and member of the Richmond Garden Club. She can be reached at [email protected].
