The Whistling Gardener

by Steve Smith

Steve Smith is owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville, located at 3915 Sunnyside Blvd., and a respected local expert on all things horticultural. You can reach Steve at 425-334-2002 or by e-mail at info@sunnysidenursery.net.

Fall is in the air--despite the fact that most of us are still waiting for summer to arrive for more than three days at a time. Nights in the low 50s, shorter days, fog in the morning, the sound of school buses rumbling down the road, the start of football season and, yes, mildew on the roses are all triggers for me this time of year. Fall is when I get my second wind and I hope for you as well. God knows we need it this year.

I wish I could tell you that we are going to have a long Indian Summer and that next spring is going to be wonderful, but what I am hearing is that we are looking at another La Niña winter, which could translate into another cold, wet spring. Not a happy thought to be sure, but if you follow my suggestions at least you will be prepared.

LAWNS: With the exception of a few days of really hot weather, lawns have had it pretty easy this summer. They should be looking at least halfway decent and if you apply an organic fertilizer and spot spray for weeds, you should be in good shape. This is the perfect time to plant a new lawn or overhaul an existing one, so if that is on your agenda, visit the garden center and find out how the pros do it. Lawns planted this month will look fabulous all winter and take off super fast in the spring.

ROSES: You should be able to squeeze one more flush of blooms out those beauties if you prune now and fertilize, but this is your last chance. Fall is prime mildew season so a timely application of a fungicide of your choice will keep this problem in check until the leaves start falling off in November. There is nothing quite like an arrangement of late blooming roses, Japanese anemones and some purple fountain grass to dress up the dining table for a fall meal.

PERENNIALS: With this cool summer, my perennials have just kept blooming for what seems like forever. You would be amazed at the choices you can still find at the garden center. Japanese Anemones and Toad Lilies are wonderful for the shade. Asters and upright Sedums work well in the sun. This is the ideal time to dig and divide large clumps of perennials like day lilies and irises. Share the extras with a neighbor. Always add some fertilizer and compost when you are planting. Those new little roots need the food. And water them in deeply since our soils tend to be very dry this time of year.

BULBS: Believe it or not, now is the perfect time to plant spring bloomers like tulips, daffodils, crocus and hyacinths. Just for fun, go to the web and Google "Dig, Drop, Done" and find out how easy bulbs can be with Marcy, Juliana and Evelyn. Trust me, you will be both educated and entertained.

FRUITS AND VEGGIES: Most of us think of September as harvest time. But it's also planting time for cool season crops like peas, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, carrots and garlic. After the last three winters, I would highly recommend that you figure out some way to build a cold frame over your veggies to keep them a bit warmer and safe from the snow and/or arctic blast. I built some frames out of PVC this spring and you are welcome to peek over the fence at the nursery and check them out.

CONTAINERS: Most of my mixed containers are on their last leg with the exception of the cannas and taros and bananas which hit full stride this month (don't you wish you had planted some). For fall and winter containers use herbs, grasses, evergreen perennials and small conifers along with a splash of color from good old reliable pansies and violas. And take a few pots and cram them full of nothing but bulbs, set them off somewhere for now and when they start to sprout and bloom bring them up to the front porch for several weeks of pure enjoyment.

LANDSCAPING: Last but not least, fall is a very good time to do major landscaping projects. Plant shrubs and trees now and they will take off in the spring like gang busters. Just make sure you give them plenty of water until the rains come.

Next time I will give you yet another BYB (boring yard busters) installment for September. In the mean time, sling some water in the garden, kill some slugs and pick some beans, and always keep a little dirt under those fingernails.

Steve Smith is owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville. You can reach him at the nursery at 425-334-2002 or online at info@sunnysidenursery.net.