Ruby's Garden Tips for the Winter
This installment of Ruby's Garden Tips is being written on an Indian Summer day in October. The temperature is pushing the 100's in the valleys and low 90's in the city. But don't let the weather fool you. Winter gardening responsibilities are fast approaching.
Be sure to deep water during the heat spells, but increase watering intervals when the weather changes. Efficient watering can save many plants that are struggling through this time of year.
Winter annuals like the snapdragons, pansies, violas, and stocks can be put in the ground as soon as the weather cools. Use lots of soil amendment as this is more important to the flower's welfare than anything else you might do.
When the ground is cold, roses, fruit trees, and other deciduous trees can be moved or planted. Water deeply. Transplants are never guaranteed to survive, but cold weather is the best time to attempt transplanting.
When the days are cooler, fertilize everything. Fertilizing when it's hot is too stressful for plants.
It's time to pull out summer annuals and cut back Japanese anenomes, and other spent plant material and vines. Take a look to see if your tress need lacing (trimming).
Water plants begin to look ratty about now, so they may be cut back. As the flower and leaf volume of plants grows smaller with the temperature, it is an ideal time to rearrange pots and plant annuals around existing plants. Store away pots that look spent. Your patio area is better off with fewer great looking pots than an abundance of ordinary looking ones.
Ruby says to start planning your Spring garden now. Many plants can be started now and get a great start for Spring. Hopefully we can get some much needed rain shortly.
Go to it!
Sincerely,
