Author Archives: longfellows

Bulbs: Q – How late can I plant spring-flowering bulbs? A – Until the ground freezes. However, bulbs planted later probably will flower later in the spring than established bulbs. Q – What if I can’t plant my bulbs before the ground freezes? A – Plant them in deep pots, spaced apart appropriately for the […]

Fertilizing: Don’t, except for lawns or new bulbs. See Sept. Lawns: Q – Do I have to rake? A – It’s best not to let layers of whole leaves pack down for the winter, as this can kill the grass underneath. You can run a lawnmower over the leaves to shred them. If collecting the […]

Annuals: Q– What annuals can I plant this late? A– Certain frost-tolerant annuals will last quite a while as late-color accents in the garden or in containers, and the Fall Magic series is based on this fact. Cold-tolerant annuals include Pansies, Dusty Miller, Flowering Cabbage & Kale, Lysimachia, English Ivy, Petunias, Calibrachoa, Dracaena, hardy Grasses, […]

Dried Flowers: Q– How do I dry flowers to preserve them? A–Now is the time to harvest. Two basic methods are 1) hanging the flowers upside down in a dark, dry, ventilated area or 2) using a drying agent like silica gel, available from craft stores. Fertilizing: Q– How should I be fertilizing now? A– […]

Annuals: Q – What is that shiny golden bug feeding on my Sweet Potato Vine, Morning Glories, & other plants? A– This is Golden Tortoise Beetle. One of its preferred foods is the genus Ipomoea, which includes these plants. Control: Any spray good for beetles in general, such as Sevin. See reference sheet “Golden Tortoise […]

Annuals: Q – What is that shiny golden bug feeding on my Sweet Potato Vine and Morning Glories? A– This is Golden Tortoise Beetle, and one of its preferred foods is the genus Ipomoea, which includes these plants. Control: Any spray good for beetles in general, such as Sevin. Q– I just planted some annuals […]

Annuals: Q – Can I plant my marigolds and geraniums yet? A– At the end of the month, but not before unless you pre-warm the soil and provide special protection. But most annual seeds can be planted after the middle of the month, like nasturtium seed. Wait till the end of the month to direct-seed […]

General: Q– Chores: What should I be doing in the garden this month? A– Spread compost or leaf mold on garden beds and rake up debris. Remove remaining dead plant parts. Wait to do any planting until the soil has dried out enough that a ball of soil will crumble in your hand. If you […]