Around For The Fall

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."
Albert Camus

Installing a Garden in the Fall

Installing a garden in the fall offers numerous advantages. Cooler temperatures, less plant stress, and the soil is still warm enough to encourage root growth. Additionally, fall planting allows plants to establish themselves before the heat of summer, leading to healthier, more resilient gardens. And, it’s also just a lovely time to be outdoors in the mild weather. Fall is my husband’s favorite time of the year, but I’m guessing it’s more for football, and not gardening…😉

Choosing the Right Plants:
Check your climate zone and select plants that thrive in cooler temperatures and can establish roots before winter. Ideal choices include perennials, shrubs, trees, and don’t forget, fall is the time to plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips and daffodils. Bulbs popping up in the early spring is one of my favorite spring delights.

Designing the Layout:
Consider the mature size of plants and their sunlight requirements when designing your garden layout. Group plants with similar needs to ensure efficient care and maintenance. Fall is also a good time to incorporate hardscape elements like pathways and borders.

Soil Preparation:
Prepare your soil by removing weeds and debris. Amend the soil with organic matter such as compost to improve its structure and fertility. Conduct a soil test to determine if any additional nutrients or pH adjustments are needed.

Timing and Planting Schedule:
Timing is crucial for fall planting. Aim to plant at least six weeks before the first expected frost to give plants enough time to establish roots. This varies by region, so check local frost dates and adjust accordingly.

Planting Techniques:
Dig planting holes twice as wide and just as deep as the root balls of your plants. Position the plants in the holes, backfill with soil, and gently firm the soil around the roots, making sure there are no air pockets— water in well.

Mulching and Watering:
Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. I like to use a fine dark leaf debris compost. Besides all the good that it does, the dark compost makes the garden look clean and beautiful— all the colors pop against the dark mulch. Water the garden regularly through the fall, especially during dry spells, to ensure that plants do not experience drought stress as they establish roots. Here in the Pacific Northwest we can experience some beautiful warm fall days even in the 80’s, although short-lived.

Fertilizing:
Fertilize your plants lightly in the fall to support root development. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that promote excessive leaf growth. Instead, use balanced or phosphorus-rich fertilizers to encourage strong root systems.

Pest and Disease Control:
Monitor your garden for pests and diseases, which can still be active in the fall. Remove any affected plant material and use appropriate organic or chemical controls as needed. Maintaining garden cleanliness can also reduce pest and disease issues.

Preparing for Winter:
Prepare your garden for winter by continuing to water until the ground freezes. Protect tender plants with a layer of mulch or plant covers. Clean and store gardening tools and equipment, and make notes of any changes or improvements for the next growing season.

So, don't hesitate to start planning and planting this fall to take full advantage of this optimal gardening season. It’s a beautiful time to be out in the garden!

Artificial Grass vs Natural Grass

With fall comes football, and with football comes artificial turf or Astro Turf as some of you may know it. Artificial turf has shorter fibers and mainly used for sport fields. Artificial grass is used for residential applications. Many of us have grown up with an expanse of natural green grass and find it hard to part with. However, natural grass is one of the most labor intensive ground covers to maintain, not to mention the expense. More and more these days, our clients are asking for artificial grass, and those who already have it, love it. So let’s look at the pros and cons of artificial grass vs natural grass for residential use.

Pros of Artificial Grass

Low Maintenance:
Artificial grass requires significantly less maintenance compared to natural grass. There is no need for mowing, thatching, aerating, fertilizing, and pest control. This makes it an attractive option for those looking to save labor time and reduce cost.

Water Conservation:
One of the significant benefits of artificial grass is its contribution to water conservation. Unlike natural grass, it does not require watering, which can save thousands of gallons of water annually, especially in areas prone to drought.

Durability:
Artificial grass is designed to withstand heavy use. It doesn't get worn down by foot traffic, making it ideal for play areas for children and pets.

Consistent Aesthetic:
Artificial grass provides a consistently green and manicured look year-round, regardless of weather conditions. This aesthetic appeal is beneficial for homeowners and businesses aiming for a pristine lawn appearance.

Cons of Artificial Grass

Initial Cost:
The installation of artificial grass can be expensive. The upfront costs are significantly higher than natural grass due to the materials and labor involved. However, these costs can be offset over time by the lower maintenance expenses.

Heat Retention:
Artificial turf can become extremely hot in direct sunlight, potentially reaching temperatures that are uncomfortable or even unsafe for use. This can limit its usability during peak sun hours and in hotter climates.

Environmental Concerns:
While artificial grass saves water, it also presents environmental issues. The production of synthetic grass involves the use of petroleum-based products and contributes to plastic waste. Additionally, it does not provide a habitat for wildlife like natural grass does.

Injury Risk:
There is some evidence to suggest that artificial grass may increase the risk of certain injuries compared to natural grass, particularly in sports. The surface can be harder, leading to more impact-related injuries.

Maintenance Issues:
Although artificial grass is low maintenance, it is not maintenance-free. It still requires regular cleaning to remove debris, and in some cases, sanitizing to prevent the growth of bacteria, particularly in areas frequented by pets or children.

Turf Trivia

The first installation of synthetic turf at a major sporting venue occurred in Houston, Texas, at the Astrodome in 1966. ChemGrass (Monsanto) a short-fiber, dense nylon carpet, was installed over a compacted soil base in the stadium.

Mouse In The Tulip Box

There are many lessons about bulbs I could teach you — designing, sourcing, and planting, but I think you’ll really appreciate this one — learned first hand by yours truly, the hard way.

A few year’s ago, I planted about 200 tulip bulbs at my house, and about 2000 at my clients' homes. I love tulips — there are so many varieties and colors—I go crazy with happiness…😁 By late December, I still had a few boxes of leftover varieties, 15 in this box, 9 in that box, etc. My plan was to plant the leftovers in pots with a loose design aesthetic, meaning no design…😁 Because the cold hit us early that year in Portland, I dragged my feet to get them planted, so out in the garage they sat, where it was cold.

Then one night, early December, I heard rustling noises in the garage…yikes! I called to our kitty Gwendolyn, but she was in the house snoozing in her favorite spot. I quickly slammed and locked the kitchen garage door. My husband Fred was at a gig, but I texted him—no response—crap! I was freakin’ out, but then what could he do? I would have to wait it out…

Move forward a couple of months to Sunday, February 7th—beautiful, sunny low 50 degree day in Portland—absolutely gorgeous! I decided it was a good day to putter in the garden and organize the garage. I still had the boxes of leftover tulip bulbs and some looked in perfect condition, but didn’t I have a bunch more?

Then I saw it…black droppings—yikes, mice!! I don’t know why, but mice scare the be-jeepers out of me. Maybe it’s because they have those long skinny tails and scurry about at lighting speed.

I canvassed the space, opened the cupboards—oh my, what a site I would see and smell! I’m not sure how many there were. They shredded plastic, cardboard, and dried leaves for bedding. I also had tender perennials wintering-over in the garage and a wheelbarrow of mulch keeping dry. They had a lot to work with—and tulip bulbs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! They had everything they could ever want—it was their dream come true!

I was astonished at how much havoc they could wreck. It took a few hours to clean up the mess. We took everything out of the garage and washed the cupboards and concrete floor with a bleach/water solution. We found the small hole in the floor that they were coming through, and blocked it off with a brick.

What really makes me mad, is that I can’t believe how dumb I was—I know how rodents love bulbs! When I plant, I dip every single bulb in a rodent repellant solution.

Well, that’s my bulb lesson for this season. Don’t make the same mistake that I did!

To end on a pretty note… I’m looking forward to seeing tulip beauty very soon—can’t wait!

You might be wondering about the title of this newsletter, “Around for the Fall.” I was trying to come up with something that related to fall and remembered this beautiful song that my husband Fred wrote. Check it out on his YouTube channel.