The Modern Southern Garden
The Profile
The Essential Fall Guide To Lovely Spring Blooms
Beautiful spring blooms do not happen by accident. Planning & organization have long been the true keys to success for anything wonderful. If you are looking to maximize your green spaces, some fall maintenance will be necessary in order for it to look it’s best come springtime. Before the weather becomes too cold, be certain to take care of several important tasks so new growth has a chance to thrive.
FROM THE SOUTHERN HOSTESS OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{helpful advice}
How To Winterize The Grounds
From simple lawn maintenance to cutting back perennials & planting bulbs, fall can actually be quite a busy time in the garden. A little time spent now as the days get cooler is guaranteed to deliver lush landscapes & cheery blooms. Make sure you’re on task with these helpful pointers.
The Essential Fall Guide To Lovely Spring Blooms
Having the necessary tools in the garden shed will help ensure tasks are accomplished efficiently & effectively. Hand clippers & a trowel, quality gloves & hedge clippers are absolute musts. A shovel, rake & pick ax will make digging holes & removing heavy roots easy so new plants may be installed. Before digging, call ahead to have home lines such as gas, water & cables marked in order to prevent unnecessary mishaps.
No. 1
Bulbs
Fall is a good time to assess flowering bulbs, divide if necessary & redistribute throughout spaces or to simply make purchases. Irises & day lilies may be divided late in the summer or early in the fall & redistributed throughout the grounds. First, design the new area for which they will be planted. Dig up the bulbs & separate the rhizomes. As long as there are some roots attached, they will take to the new space. Next, create the new holes, then simply drop the bulbs in & cover with soil. Water often for the next month or so to ensure they thrive.
No. 2
Existing Beds
Existing beds will need a good cleaning. Trim back perennials, remove past their prime annuals & rake out fallen leaves. A fair amount of weeding should be done at this time as well. I find that it is best to pull them directly by hand, root & all, to eradicate entirely. Try to remove weeds as soon as you spot them in order to prevent additional work down the road, too, as many are able to self pollinate with just a bit of wind. Add fertilizer to the soil & top with a fair amount of pine straw. It will not only give the beds a nice appearance but the pine straw will break down & add vital nutrients to the space helping to nourish the plants during the dormant season.
No. 3
New Beds
Fall is an excellent time to plan new designs & install additional garden spaces. Gardens are a constant work in progress so it’s best practices to create a realistic timeline. Maybe one season you focus on front beds close to the house, then the mailbox or privacy landscaping another time. Be realistic about what you can accomplish & budget accordingly so that one complete project is finished at a time before moving to the next.
No. 4
Lawns
Fertilizing lawns in the fall is a good way to combat potential weed growth & promote a healthy, spring green space around your home in a few months. A slow-release nitrogen blend of approximately 2 pounds per 1000 share feet is a reliable rule of thumb to follow. A drop spreader is a helpful tool to have in the shed for reseeding or broadcasting fertilizer. Check with garden center professionals for recommendations regarding specific types of grass.
The Tune
“Pennies From Heaven” Billie Holiday
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