Fall is in full swing. The kids are back in school and summer vacation is a sweet memory. The garden is slowing down, but do not put that shovel away yet, because there is much to do in the garden.
The still warm soil, cooler temperatures and increased rainfall all work together to make fall an excellent time to plant most everything. Warm soil helps plants root in quickly and cooler temperatures and increased rainfall mean less stress on newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials.
Many garden centers have sales in the fall, so take advantage of lower prices and the great weather we have been enjoying and add a few new plants to the garden. This year, the above-normal temperatures and below-normal rainfall means you need to keep watering both established and especially newly planted plants. This is particularly important for both broad-leaved and needled evergreens as they continue to lose moisture throughout the winter from both the sun and wind but cannot replace it because the ground is frozen. This can result in winter damage that may not be obvious until spring. Keeping them well watered until the ground freezes increase the survival rate. You can also spray with an anti-desiccant, such as Wilt-Pruf, for added protection. Wilt-Pruf must be applied while the temperature is above 40, to ensure it dries.
Fall is also a perfect time to move and divide perennials. In general, perennials should be divided in the opposite season from when they bloom. Late summer and fall bloomers are best divided in the spring, while spring and summer bloomers are divided in the fall. This gives plants the time they need to re-establish themselves before flowering. Water plants well before and after dividing them. Deep, regular watering will encourage your new plants to root deeply into the soil. Many perennials can be divided now, including but not limited to phlox, astilbe, hostas, black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, yarrow, and coreopsis. Some deep, tap rooted or woody perennials resent being divided and are best left alone, such as bleeding heart, lavender, butterfly weed (Asclepias) and baptisia.
Fall is also the time to plant Garlic. Choose hardneck varieties for northern Michigan. Garlic prefers full sun (six-plus hours a day), and well-draining soil enriched with compost. Plant individual cloves with their papery skins, 2-4 inches deep, six inches apart in rows that are 12- to 24 inches apart. Water after planting and add a layer of mulch from grass clippings, shredded leaves or weed-free straw. Fall planted garlic is harvested the following summer.
No talk of fall planting would be complete without a reminder to plant spring flowering bulbs now. Bulbs are easy to grow and the best cure for spring fever I know. Most bulbs like sunny sites and well-drained soil. If deer are a problem in your yard, choose deer resistant varieties such as daffodils, allium, hyacinths, snow drops, and fritillaria. Bulbs can be planted anytime in the fall and into December if the ground has not frozen. September and October are ideal for bulb planting, as the bulbs will have plenty of time to root in before the ground freezes. In general, plant bulbs at a depth 2-3 times their height. Most daffodils and tulips are planted 6- to 8 inches deep, while crocus and snowdrops are planted 2- to 4 inches deep.
I am out of time and space again, so in closing remember that fall is not the end of the growing season, it is the start of next year’s garden. It’s nature’s second curtain call.