As autumn wanes, preparations for shorter days begin. Fall foliage colors have reached their peak, and trees are losing leaves. The decrease in temperature marks the transition to winter months, longer nights and the first frost.
Some gardeners welcome the first frost, as it benefits garden health and future growth. Light frost enhances the taste of cool-season vegetables by converting starches into sugars, making crops like brussels sprouts, carrots, collard greens, kale and parsnips sweeter and milder. Frost also signals when to finish harvesting warm-weather crops such as tomatoes, peppers, squash and basil.
One of the most immediate benefits of the first frost is its effect on garden pests. Cold temperatures can reduce populations of insects such as aphids, beetles and caterpillars by killing off adults, larvae or eggs. This natural pest control decreases the likelihood of infestations in the following spring, allowing for healthier plants with less need for chemical intervention.
The first frost signals gardeners to prepare for winter and plan for next spring. Protect your soil by removing and discarding weeds, dead or diseased plants. Do not dispose of such foliage in compost bins because seeds may spread.
Prune, transplant or share perennials. Organize your supplies, clean tools, start composting, mulch, check irrigation, test and amend soil. Collect seeds and dried grasses for flower arrangements, learn and experiment new gardening techniques.
The brisk autumn air is the perfect season to indulge your gardening passion by planting hardy flower bulbs that will give you a stunning show come spring. Whether you want to add new bulbs to your flower garden or fill in gaps with more foliage, begin with a plan.
Remember to check planthardiness.ars.usda.gov, for specific growing reqirements in your region, as temperature and frost dates can vary. Also consider aesthetics, space, sun exposure, soil amendments, planting in clusters, interplanting bulbs with perennials, native plants and bloom succession.
Plant hardy bulbs like crocus, daffodils, galanthus (snowdrops), hyacinths, Siberian squill and tulips in fall. The winter chill will establish their roots to stimulate spring blooms. These bulbs require no winter maintenance and all except tulips are deer resistant.
When considering tulips, they interplant well with perennials. Their varied color palette can extend bloom periods if planted weekly between mid-October through November or until at least the soil has not yet become frozen. Tulips also complement bloom succession when interplanted with daffodils and hyacinths because of differences in bloom time and heights of each flower.
Snowdrops are often the first flowers to kickstart the spring season, generally followed by Siberian squill and crocus which are naturalized ground cover bulbs. Choosing healthy bulbs requires careful inspection of texture, age and knowledge of growers. It is best to purchase from reputable sources.
When you complete your fall garden projects, relax and feel the warmth and nostalgia from harvest festivals and hot pumpkin spice lattes.
Jennie Rodriguez-Priest, J.D., MBA, is a certified Master Gardener, and human resources consultant.
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