freshare.net
By Lamar James, U of A Cooperative Extension
09-23-2008Far from being a barren place, the fall garden in Arkansas has plenty of color and edible opportunities, said Melvin Daniel, a Hot Spring County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
“Fall foliage is usually a treat in October and November in Arkansas and the late August and September rain showers are good news for the upcoming fall color season,” he said. “The trees have developed healthy leaves and cooler nights will send signals to the trees for a color change.”
For those in the Ouachitas in central Arkansas, color begins in October with the peak around late October or early November. To the south, the color starts later. To the north, it’s earlier.
Gardeners looking for color in garden have plenty of choices, which have been appearing in local nurseries over the last few weeks.
“I would hold off on planting pansies and violas until mid- to late September, at the earliest,” Daniel said. “October is considered to be ideal.”
Chrysanthemums can provide a lot of color in the fall garden.
“When choosing your garden mums, look for plants that are beginning to show color and have lots of flower buds,” he said. “If you buy a plant in peak bloom, it won’t last long. Mums can be planted in the garden and they can be long-lived perennials, or you may choose to grow them as seasonal annual color, and toss them after their prime.”
Ornamental grasses are also just beginning to shine, and will continue all winter long.
The recent rain has also been good for fall vegetable gardening.
“You can still add lettuce, spinach, radishes, and greens,” Daniel said. “Small transplants of flowering kale and cabbage can be put out now.”
Gardeners looking forward to enjoying their fall greens need to know that they’re not the only ones with an appetite.
“Keep in mind that the same caterpillars that feed on your edible cabbage make no distinction in the ornamental kind and can damage the foliage,” he said. “Pay attention and control if needed.”
Aphids also like tender new foliage.
“They often can be unwanted protein in your greens,” Daniel said. “Insecticidal soaps can keep them at bay.”
If using pesticides in your vegetable gardens, pay attention to waiting periods. When we spray new plants beside plants that we are harvesting from, you must abide by the waiting periods from last spray until harvest time.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.