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Digging in: Productive Garden Projects for Late Summer/Early Fall

The dog days of August have many of us looking toward to those last barbeques and beach outings. With summer on the wane, more focus is on relaxing in the shade, instead of toiling in the garden. By summer’s end though, your once vibrant landscape may be showing signs of subtle decline. Trees might appear unkempt, annuals faded, and the vibrant lawn a memory. Trading off some leisure hours now will reap rewards come spring.

Late Summer Gardening Projects

In many areas, summer is marked by extended periods of insufficient rainfall, taking a toll on the entire garden, most notably lawns and new plantings. Regular watering is one essential late summer garden task. A lawn needs thorough soaking, allowing water to reach deep roots. Consequently, watering in short bursts is ineffective since this encourages shallow root development and weed growth. When watering, take advantage of cooler early morning temperatures to avoid excessive evaporation.

While deep soaking is beneficial for established lawns, there are a couple of exceptions when a lighter sprinkle is preferable. Freshly seeded lawns need more moisture at the surface and new sod should be watered often and lightly until it roots into the soil (in about 7-10 days). Whenever you water be mindful of any restrictions, especially during drought conditions.

What About Vegetables?

Late summer is a good time to plant fall vegetables, such as spinach, lettuces, beets, broccoli, and cabbage. Be aware of scorching temperatures, since this can hinder some seeds from germinating. ‚”Starting Fall Gardens in Summer” on HGTV.com, recommends providing temporary shade and covering the seedlings with straw or a layer of grass clippings to keep the temperature down. Covering plants also aids moisture retention and prevents the soil from crusting.

Additional Late Summer Tasks

  • Plant crocus, dwarf iris, and narcissi bulbs for a spring showing
  • Mow the lawn weekly
  • Continue deadheading flowers to maintain pest control
  • Weed borders and beds frequently
  • Continue fertilizing if plants need a boost
  • Plant strawberries in open ground or strawberry containers
  • Prune raspberries to the ground soon after picking
  • Gather onions and shallots, dry and store
  • Cut and dry herbs for winter use

Early Autumn Gardening Projects

With the arrival of September and early autumn, most annuals will be spent, though autumn flowering crocuses and colchicums begin blooming. The garden revives somewhat, with colorful leaf displays and ripening fruit. Keep in mind that this is the time to start prepping the ground for spring and getting spring bulbs in. Early fall is also a favorable time for planting certain trees or shrubs, like ornamental cherry or crabapple.

Keeping Gardens Colorful in Fall

In northern gardens, cooler weather brings bursts of color. A warm palette of red, orange and gold abounds. Mixing in some blue provides contrast and makes traditional autumn hues ‚”pop.” Monkshood is an impressive perennial, but toxic. With small children or pets around, you may want to substitute blue asters as an alternative. An online addendum to the October, 2010 issue of Garden Gate magazine features two garden plans that focus on fall flowers.

Additional Early Autumn Gardening Tasks

  • Continue weekly mowing
  • Prune unruly roses
  • Plant new shrubs and trees if weather is cool and moist
  • Discard spent summer bedding plants
  • Dig up and store carrots, beets, and potatoes
  • Ripen any still green tomatoes indoors
  • Pick out fallen leaves from any ponds to prevent decreased oxygen levels (harmful to fish, frogs, and other aquatic life) from decomposing leaves

Reap What You Sow

Most gardeners will agree that the best gardening projects are those tackled year-round. Attention to specific seasonal tasks optimizes your chances for a thriving landscape. With consistent effort, your garden will not only show improvement immediately, but you will also reap the rewards of your efforts throughout its life cycle.

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