“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” [Indian Summer]” ― John Howard Bryant 
As summer winds down to fall, it’s time to think about autumn gardening tasks. If your summer containers are as bedraggled as some of mine, replant for fall. Garden centre shelves are full of colourful mums, pansies, asters, ornamental peppers, grasses, cabbage and kale.
You can even use fall blooming perennials such as sedums, for extra interest! Plant containers tightly so you have a good show right through to Thanksgiving!
When fall frost hits the annuals or if they look poor already, you can clean them out of beds and fill your compost pile. Water trees and shrubs less, allowing them to harden off before winter sets in.
Fall is the best time to get your lawn ready for next spring. Cooler night time temperatures, warm days and ample moisture make this the ideal time to get new grass seeds growing so your lawn can look its best next year.
After soil temperature drops below 60° in the fall months, plant spring flowering bulbs of Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Dwarf Irises, Anemone, and Crocus. Select healthy, disease free bulbs. Add Bone meal or Bulb fertilizer into the planting hole as you prepare the soil.
Tender bulbs like Dahlias should be dug up and stored in a cool, dark area after first frost.
For more excellent gardening tips, visit our website www.dunnvillehortandgardenclub.org and Facebook page. Better yet, join us Sept. 20, 7-9pm for our Dunnville Horticultural Society (DHS) Monthly Program at the Optimist Hall. Doors open at 6:30pm. Our program nights are free and open to everyone, members and non-members alike. Join us for friendship, refreshments, Jr Gardener’s Flower and Vegetable Show and Awards Night. Hear an informative Speaker, Adrianne Lickers of Six Nations Market & Garden Coordinator. Topic: Sweet Grasses Gardening (history, basketry, craft and medicinal uses).
For more information, contact Debbie Thomas, President at (905) 774-3064.
Written by Sandi Marr, DHS member. Photo by Sandi Marr.