- To Prune or Not to Prune – In fall, a gardener’s fancy turns to thoughts of pruning. Make the right choice or you can lose your blooms for next spring. A good rule to follow for most shrubs is, if it blooms in the spring, do not prune in the fall. Some common spring blooming shrubs like azaleas, rhododendron, forsythia, lilac, and viburnum bloom on old wood which has already set buds for the spring. Prune these right after blooming in the spring. When to prune hydrangeas, however, depends on the type. You must know the species to know when to prune. Visit the hydrangea research trials across from the Visitor’s Center, to view the 3 pruning techniques for paniculata hydrangeas. For more information on hydrangea identification and care, go to https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1263
- Calling All Garlic Lovers: Plant garlic in the fall, as it requires a cold period to develop properly, in well-drained, sandy loam, rich in organic matter. Buy seed garlic from a garden center. Grocery store garlic may be old and treated with sprout inhibitors. Hard neck varieties are more cold-tolerant than soft neck. Break the garlic bulb into cloves and plant 2” deep and 4”- 6” apart, with the pointed end facing up. Water and mulch well for winter protection. Harvest in mid-summer and cure in a dry, shaded area. Happy cooking and bon appétit.
- Mum’s the Word: How do you get those beautiful fall mums to return in the spring? There is no guarantee but it’s worth the try. To improve success, choose “hardy” perennial mums from garden centers not grocery stores. The key to winter survival is getting them in the ground as soon as possible making sure you leave room for growth in the spring. Mix a root stimulator with the soil and cut and loosen the root system to ensure good root growth. Survival depends on good fall root establishment. Wait until spring to fertilize. Water well and cover with 4 inches of mulch after the ground freezes. Leave the dead foliage on the plant after frost to provide extra insulation.
- Fall Into Lawn Care: Weed control can be very effective in September and October when grass is actively growing. Fall fertilizing is arguably one of the best things you can do for your lawn. A soil test will determine if pH needs to be adjusted and what fertilizer should be applied. Two labs that do soil testing are: Penn State, https://agsci.psu.edu/aasl and Spectrum Analytical, https://spectrumanalytic.com/ . Gradually start mowing your grass shorter. In summer, mowing height should be 3-3½ inches and lowered to 2-2½ inches before winter. A light leaf covering can be ground up with a mulching mower which naturally puts nutrients back into your lawn, and it’s free. Heavy leaves need to be removed. The following video gives a quick overview of fall lawn care. Go to http://extension.osu.edu/today/fall-lawn-care.
- Plant Winter Greens for the Winter Blues: Sad because you have no color when your perennials have all died back? Evergreen trees, shrubs and plants provide much needed color and texture in the winter landscape. In addition, larger evergreens provide shelter from the elements for wildlife. Evergreen and semi-evergreen perennial plants are those that retain their leaves for most of the winter. Fall is a good time to plant, and the following perennials will add year-round interest, structure, and color when other plants are brown and have lost their leaves. Try ajuga, hellebores, bergenia, wintercreeper, liriope, epimedium, Italian arum, autumn fern, Christmas fern, brunnera, European ginger, and pulmonaria to name a few. Check plant labels for planting requirements.
–Sue Cook, Master Gardener Volunteer
