October is planting time for many things in the South. All the way from the Virginia seaboard to the Texas plains it is considered the best time to plant daffodils. Here in the South we need many more of these bulbs. In late winter. February and March, no other flowers give its such an invigorating … Read more
Gardeners are now busy with a wide variety of pleasant tasks: bulb planting is in full swing; evergreens are being set in; some of the summer bulbs are being dug and cured; the last of the late winter- and spring-blooming annuals are being planted, and in the higher altitudes borders are being bedded down for … Read more
Frosts, even killing frosts,- have already visited the colder parts of our northern area. Sudden killing frosts, descending while plants are still in growth or not fully ripened, are devastating. Only the more rugged plants can stand it. This is true of flowering shrubs, trees, and even perennials. Which Shrubs Are Best For Cold Climates? … Read more
Bulbs have priority in October gardening activities in the Northwest. Plant spring-blooming ones, and lift and store those that have finished their summer bloom. Cleaning up and composting, preparing for spring planting, and eliminating pests are important to your list. The Cascades divide the area, killing frosts already a danger east of the mountains. But … Read more
Now that we’ve finished planting daffodils, crocus, scillas, camassia, and snowdrops and enjoyed the spring beauty they will bring, we must consider these bulb plantings’ appearance when they bloom over. Their dying foliage is not a pretty sight. Therefore, we should plant seeds of annuals this month to hide the bulb beds next summer. Annuals: … Read more
Have you reached the point where you can’t devote as many hours to your garden as you would like to? Do you have other commitments which consume a major portion of your time? Or must you, for some reason, be away from home for several months? If this is true, then it’s time to start working … Read more
Something about October hires one to the woods. It is the best time to dig native ferns. Although the fronds may be dry one can still tell the kind it is. Native Ferns Grow Under Trees Since the native ferns usually grow under trees a hatchet will cut mats of roots so that the whole … Read more
Irrigation You can expect little rainfall in the Southwest this month, so irrigation is important. Most deciduous trees and shrubs have not yet dropped their leaves and should not be allowed to dry out. Rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, laurel, and other hardy broad-leaved evergreens will show ill effects toward the end of a warm, dry season … Read more
We have been delighted with the gladiolus species, especially with Gladiolus tristis, which should be planted in November. It is a hardy little fellow that begins growth immediately after planting and which, in our experience, has never been damaged by freezes. Gladiolus Flowers The flowers, which appear in March when we are planting large-flowered garden … Read more
The tawney hues of autumn and the cooler days entice us to spend more time outside. Examine chrysanthemum stakes to make certain branches are securely fastened to withstand damaging winds and rains. Several gardeners attach a covering to stakes driven around the flower bed. This covering protects flowers from hard rains and early frosts and … Read more