Fall cleaning
Pull it out, trim it up, divide it up. time to start our fall gardening chores.
The good news is it’s cooler outside. The bad news is there can be a lot of gardening to be done before we get into the sit back and enjoy mode.
A lot of garden plants has become leggy and crowded, and may even look dismal and have to be replaced. We are fortunate here with the local nurseries and larger garden center stocking up for our fall season.
Most of the full sun plants can be planted in the full sun now. The bold oranges of marigolds and the pure blues of Plumbago, Blue Haze and the stately Caladiums are perkier as the summer heat subsides.
Some plants just need a little trim or some light fertilizer as the have not weathered the effects of the heavy rains very well.
Dispose of all diseased leaves in the horticulture waste.
There are, of course, still weeds out there, thriving on heavy rains, peeking out of old mulch and not giving up their right to exist.
There is a new Lee County lawn fertilizer ordinance that took effect on Oct. 1. The Lee County Extension Service will have specific information on the ordinance as well as the latest information on new pest and fungi problems showing up in our area.
Some things you cannot do anything about are the pesky mushrooms showing up in the lawn or the large Plumeria leaves looking shabby and falling. The Plumeria is a deciduous tree and will be shedding its leaves now and spend the winter season as a completely bare artistic feature on the landscape.
Canna Lilys can be cut back and the area around them cleaned of dried waste. This is a good time to dig up a few and share them with neighbors and friends.
There are several varieties of color and it is and easy way to increase your selection.
The rhizomes can be stored in a bag for several days and will not dry out. They do prefer a moist growing area. These beauties look best when planted in a group of at least five plants of the same color.
Amaryllis bulbs can be left in soil all year. Once in a while it is good to thin them out. In a pot is fine also, I have3 some in clay pots and I will just lay them on their sides behind some bushes some time next month. Them seem to receive enough moisture and are in moderate shade. Flower stalks are cut after flowering. I do not cut the foliage until they have turned yellow and droopy.
The good news is now and next month is a good time to try you hand at some veggies. Plant some patio tomatoes and some bell peppers and dress up your winter salads with homegrown goodies that taste better than market offerings.
I do not plant mine in soil. They do well in the black pots from the garden center. A pot that is at least 12 inches across will allow enough room for the plant and a wire cage or stake. Do not let the pot dry out. Set in full sun.
The tomato plants are best planted deeper than they are when you buy them. Just remove a couple of rows of the bottom leaves and put them in the new pot with these two rows under the soil.
I never fertilize them at planting time, but several weeks later instead.
NEVER spray them with insecticide. Insecticides in you nice salad will be more than a pain in you neck.
More about full gardening choices and care next week.
H. Jean Shields
Past President
Garden Cub of Cape Coral