freshare.net
By Olivia O.
09-19-2008Autumn is only days away. While we are entering the waning days of gardening, there are still things to do. With that in mind, here are a few tips:
· If you took some of your house plants outside for the summer, now is a good time to start getting them acclimated to the indoors again. Move plants to a less sunny area for a couple of weeks before taking them inside. That will help them avoid shock.
· It’s a little too early to get too aggressive with the pruning shears on shrubs and bushes. Cutting them back now will encourage rapid regrowth so they will get too bushy and leggy. Instead, wait until colder weather before getting out the loppers.
· Mums are starting to bud and it’s a good time to apply a little fertilizer. Water them frequently and consistently to encourage excellent blooming plants for October.
· Fall means leaves and that usually means plenty of material for the composter. Clean out the new soil created from summer clippings and fruit peels to get the compost pile ready for fall debris.
· Clean out the tomato beds and turn the soil. Adding a little of the compost soil won’t hurt.
· Don’t let leaves pile up on the lawn. Pick them up frequently as they fall to prevent a layer of debris that can smother a lawn. A layer of leaves covering the grass at the first frost can actually prevent you lawn from going dormant and that means plenty of troubles come spring.
· Garlic lovers: now’s the time to plant for harvesting next year. Plant them in a well-drained, fertile soil where they will get at least six hours of sunlight daily.
· Christmas cactus respond to cooler night time temperatures by creating buds. Move them outdoors this month into an area of indirect sun. Limiting water while outdoors encourages the buds to open at the same time. Take the cactus back inside when frost is predicted and place it in a well lit area, then watch the flowers emerge.