Fall Gardening Chores

Saturday, September 12, 2009 03:45 AM

Won't be long before there is a killing frost. There is no shortage of things to do in the garden at this time of the year. Here is a helpful list that should keep you pretty busy:

Ø Tender summer flowering bulbs such as gladiolas, dahlias, tuberous begonias, and calla lilies should be dug up and stored for the winter. This is normally done after the foliage has been blackened by the first killing frost. Remember to label all bulbs/tubers with variety name, color, size, etc. before storing so that when it comes time to replant you will know what they are.

Ø On tuberous begonias cut the foliage back 4-6 inches from the tuber before carefully digging it out and then shake off any excess soil. Air dry the tuber for a few hours in the sun before placing in a cool location for a few weeks until the remaining stems dry and fall off. After this place the tuber in a container filled with dry sand or vermiculite and store it in a dry, dark, frost free space until you are ready to replant it in February.

Ø Dahlia stems should be cut back 4-6 inches before carefully digging up the tuber. Shake off excess soil and then for the next 2 weeks place the tuber upside down with the stems down, tuber up allowing any extra moisture to drain from the stems. Do this in a dry, ventilated, frost free space. After the stems have dried, store the tuber in dry sand or peat moss in a frost free, dry, dark space.

Ø Gladiolas corms can be saved by first removing all the finished flowers from the stem and then dig up the corm shaking off the extra soil. Cut the stem back to within an inch from the corm. Let the corms sit in the sun for a few hours to dry and then place them in a frost free, cool location for 3-4 weeks. By this time you should be able to rub off the old corm from the new corm. Toss out the old corm and save the new corm by storing it in a dry, warm location.

Ø Calla lilies are saved by getting the plant to go dormant after it has finished blooming by cutting back on the water. When the foliage has yellowed, dig up the rhizomes, clean them well and harden them at room temperature for 7-10 days. Store the hardened rhizomes separately in a paper bag so that they do not touch each other in place the bag in a cool, frost free, dark place.

Ø September is the time to plant all those spring flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, crocus, scillia, etc. Plant the bulbs early so that they can establish a good root system before the winter weather sets in.

Ø Trees, shrubs, and perennials that are still available in the garden centers can easily be planted now. This is a good time, as the weather is not so hot and dry so you do not need to worry as much about plants drying out. Continue to water all trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs until the frost sets into the soil. Even though the plants foliage is changing color and in some cases falling off the root system is still active and will continue to grow for a few more weeks.

Ø This is a good time of year to catch up on the weeding. Do not allow weeds to get established or be able to sow seed as this will create more work for you next spring. Weeds can also harbor pests and rodents and it also looks nicer to have a weed free garden and landscape.

Ø Perennials such as peonies, lilies, and irises should be divided and replanted in September. Other perennials can be transplanted in the fall if you are unable to do it next early spring which would be the better time of year to do it.

-Jos

Jos Van Hage owns and operates two Art Knapp Garden centres in Prince George:

-Highway 16 west at Kimball Road

-Highway 97 North at Northwood Pulpmill Road

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