01 October 2019
A Garden Tip from Helen...
Roses need some feeding to prepare themselves for winter. There are many combinations of soil amendments that can be used, but the one formula containing the most readily available ingredients is this one: One cup per bush of equal parts Espoma Plant-tone, Espoma Rock Phosphate and Green Sand. This formula should be applied no later than early November. And of course, the best time to do this is before or just after it rains... provided it ever does rain again!
Daffodils and other spring blooming bulbs can be planted at any time from October through December, or really until the ground freezes, unless you are truly a diehard. Seeds can also be scattered for early blooming annuals such as love-in-a-mist, larkspur, bachelor buttons, and bells of Ireland. However, do not just throw these seeds about and expect them to grow. Prepare a seedbed in direct sun and amend it with compost or manure and do it sooner rather than later.
If you have summered-over amaryllis, now is the time to place them in a totally dark, cool environment to ensure they bloom within a January to February time frame. Do not water the plants during this period of rest and refrain from even looking at them. The amaryllis will reward you once you bring them back into the light again in December. Then, water them well and start feeding bi-weekly.
Trim shrubs and perennials that have long since finished blooming or that the birds have stripped of their seeds, such as lavender and monarda. This is a personal preference in that it gives a neater appearance to the yard and reduces the spring cleanup.
Happy Gardening,
Helen