I’m still impressed at how quickly the days get shorter this time of year. We’re losing daylight at a rate of almost 3 minutes a day! It adds up day after day. There are signs of fall everywhere. The asters are beginning to flower in the meadows. Ajax the dog has begun collecting seed pods in his fur from every thistle and burdock within shouting distance. The cats are QUITE interested in visiting with us overnight now. There’s dew on the windshield and lawn every morning. I’ve noticed the Monarch Butterfly migration is in starting up. The hummingbirds will be gone soon. All these are indications that our glorious growing season will be coming to a frosty end. You would think that this would be a quiet time for gardeners. Not at all!
There are bulbs to plant and it’s a great time to plant trees and shrubs that are on season end clearance at the garden centers. Cool weather makes it a great time to catch up on any lingering landscaping projects. Most of us have more time to devote to garden tasks in September. In spring, with all the preparation for the vegetable garden, raking the lawn and other pressing chores, it can be hard to find time to keep up. Rainy spring weather can also make it difficult to accomplish all you wish to. Many of the gardening chores that you’d normally think of doing in spring can actually be taken care of now.
One task that I like to tackle in fall is the dividing and transplanting of perennials. Most of our perennial flowers are just about finished for the season. They go dormant as frost approaches. This is a great time to make improvements and adjustments to our flowerbeds and borders. You may have underestimated how large a plant would get and need to move it. You may have some perennials that have become mature and need to be divided. This is a great time to take advantage of cool, crisp “work weather” to get a jump on next spring.
For instance, I’ve got some daylilies and hosta that are in need of dividing. It is a good idea to have the new location ready to receive your transplants before you lift them from their present spot. Dig you holes and add you soil amendments. The most important soil additive is Bio-tone. Bio-ton provides nutrients and beneficial soil microbes and fungi to promote a strong, healthy root system. If you have sandy soil, the addition of compost or peat moss will improve the soil’s ability to retain moisture.
Next, slice all the way around the plant you wish to divide with a sharp spade and lift it from the soil. If you’re simply moving it to a new location simply plant it and water it in well. If you need to divide the plant, simply slice the clump apart (as with hosta) or gently pull the clump apart (as with daylilies). Sometimes this seems a bit brutal but remember, most perennial plants NEED to be divided every few years to remain healthy and vigorous.
Remember your gardening friends when you’re dividing your perennials. I always set a few small divisions aside to share. My friends share with me so, there’s always something new for all of us to enjoy.
You might not think of it but it’s also a good time to purchase and plant potted perennials. The selection of perennials won’t be as good at the garden center in fall as it is in spring and summer but what there is will undoubtedly be on sale. I’ve got some great bargains by being willing to poke through the perennials at the garden center in fall. Thanks for the read.
