Fall:

In September as the glory of summer has begun to pass, many gardeners like to replace some or all of their summer annual plantings with late-season annuals such as mums, asters, ornamental kales and cabbages, ornamental peppers, millet, ornamental grasses, and other plants that can tolerate colder temperatures and extend the season into the fall. Although some summer annuals may continue to look decent into October, these fall annuals should stay looking great until our first snow around Thanksgiving or even into December. These plantings are accented by arrangements of pumpkins and gourds, cornstalks, and other whimsical fall decor.

In fall our team also manages any perennial cleanup to leave beds looking tidy up before winter arrives. This often involves cutting any herbaceous perennials back to the ground which can make leaf removal easier, however some of these perennials may be left to add winter interest such as ornamental grasses. Any exposed roots of trees, shrubs and perennials should be covered with mulch or compost before winter to prevent damage from snow and ice. Topdressing the soil with compost at this time allows this newly added organic matter to filter into the soil naturally over the winter and improve soil quality.

October and early November are also great times to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials as they are entering their dormancy and establishing good root systems while the ground is cool and moist. The cool weather and moist soil of fall (and spring) also provide a great opportunity to divide and transplant perennials as needed. In late fall we also plant bulbs such a tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, allium, and lilies as well as more uncommon bulbs.