Spring Bulbs

It is WAY to early to plant spring bulbs, but if there are specific varieties of flowers you want to plant, consider ordering them soon.

Last year, much to my grandmother's chagrin, I went to the local Home Depot a bought some standard varieties. They turned out okay, and I fell in love, with this little beauty:

Photo from http://www.bluestoneperennials.com

Get Dressed

This is a new Japanese Maple, planted this summer. You can see the mulched border in the left of the photo, and the mulch around the Sycamore in the center.

Fall is a perfect time to top dress any mulch you have in your landscape. Take advantage of a cool day to cross this chore off your list.

I have A LOT of mulch in my landscape. I have a mulched border around my back yard and two mulched beds in the front. Likewise, I have a mulch ring around my trees.

Mulch holds moisture and keeps weeds down, naturally. It is a perfect way to cut down on mowing and watering needs in your lawn, while still creating an inviting landscape. I have planted several shrubs in my border and even added some trees last spring.

If you haven't used mulch in your landscape before, consider doing so now. You won't regret it.

(When mulching around trees, be sure to avoid piling mulch around the trunk. This can lead to rotting.)

Pruning Roses

Photo from: http://www.tamu.edu

I have a few knockout roses that are struggling right now. Part of the reason, is that they need to be deadheaded. (I know, I know, nurseries say you do not need to deadhead knockout roses, but I really think it encourages blooming!)

I use a pair of hand pruners to cut the spent bloom back to the first set of five leaves. (Follow the stem from the bloom and you will first encounter one or two sets of three leaves, wait until you reach the first set of five to make your cut.)

The second thing my roses likely need is fertilizer. I am going to put down a slow-release fertilizer this spring to see how it affects next year's growing season.

All-in-all if you are looking for a nice flowering shrub, it doesn't get any easier than knockout roses.

Seeding Reminder

Don't forget, if you are planning to seed Fescue or Bluegrass lawns, fall is the time.

Seed between Labor Day and October 15 for best results. Once you have put the seed down, water daily for 3 weeks. If the seed dries out, you won't get the results you want.

Basil

Photo from: www.tastefulgarden.com

Right up there with garlic, I have heard a lot of great things about home-grown basil. Basil is great for Italian flavors, and a main ingredient in Pesto.

I think the best plan of attack for growing basil in the Midwest is to grow it indoors in pots. To start, make sure your pot will get good drainage. A few pebbles in the bottom of the pot should do the trick.

Once you have planted the basil, thin out weaker plants. Pinch off any flowers that bloom to preserve the flavor of the plant and stimulate more leaf growth.

When watering, try to avoid getting water on the leaves. Fertilize once a month.

Basil is a pick and come again crop. It is best to pick a few leaves off a number of plants than picking all the leaves off one plant. Harvest the top most leaves first.

Garlic

Photo from i.ehow.com

I keep hearing about home grown garlic. Things along the lines of, "Once you've tasted home grown garlic, you'll never go back!"

Sounds great to me!

I have been pondering planting a fall crop this October, after the first frost. Apparently, you plant each clove 1 inch deep and 4 inches apart. Then, they will grow throughout the winter and be ready to harvest in early spring, once the leaves start to turn brown.

Garlic won't survive harsh winters, but can also be planted in the spring.

Elephant Ears

I planted my first elephant ears this spring, and it's official--I'm in love.

The large, green leaves bring a welcome tropical feel to this Midwest prairie. The leaves on my elephant ears are a light green, although my research of black-leafed cultivars has intrigued me. I may have to give "Black Magic" or "Jet Black Wonder" a try next year.

Zones higher than 8 can treat the plant as a perennial. Those of us in Zones 5-6, however, will have to dig them up every fall so they can overwinter indoors.