Prepare now for great results next spring Garden bedtime

By MARILYN MCKINLEY

OSU Master Gardener Volunteer

CANFIELD

Fall is a bittersweet time of the year. The vivid colors of the leaves, football, and the kids are back in school, but it also means the growing season in Northeast Ohio is rapidly coming to an end.

Some well-spent time in your garden now will save you time next spring when all gardeners are busy.

What to do

Remove weeds and debris. This will greatly cut down on overwintering sites for insects and disease. If you have a site that is particularly weedy (and contains no perennials) you might consider putting down and securing black plastic. This will stall any germination of weeds.

Clean out any beds that have finished producing. Removing old plant material helps protect your garden from disease causing pathogens that are able to overwinter in the soil. Dispose of spent plants by composting if you are certain they are disease free. Throw them away if you have any hint of any type of problems.

Have your soil tested and amend as recommend.

Bulbs

Plant spring flowering bulbs. The larger the bulb the better the flower it will produce. The basic rule for planting depth is three times as deep as the bulb is wide, following package directions.

Lift tender bulbs, canna, gladiolas, and dahlias. Leave some foliage attached. Let dry for a week or so, then remove foliage. Store in a cool dry place. You might want to store in peat moss.

Perennials

Cut them back, leaving 4-6 inches. This will protect the crown. Continue to water. You may decide to leave some perennials standing to provide food for birds.

Mulch newly planted perennials after the ground freezes. Most perennials do not require any mulch.

Ornamental grasses should be left standing, cut back in spring when new growth appears.

Clean and store garden tools. Clean containers with one part bleach to nine parts water for sterilization.

Remember: Don’t leave leaves on the ground. You’ll suffocate your grass, causing barren spaces and encouraging lawn weeds next year.

Herbs

Sage: It will winter over, and needs no special treatment. Before harder frosts stop the growth, cut a branch for Thanksgiving use.

Rosemary: Is a tender perennial in our area. You might try sheltering and mulching, but don’t be upset if it does not make it. Best to bring inside, or store in a greenhouse.

Thyme: It will go dormant and revive itself in the spring.

Parsley: It will survive a light frost. On cold nights cover it well into the late fall. It will not overwinter, nor does it like to be transplanted.

Chives: They are hardy. If you like dig up a clump, pot it, let it die down and freeze for several weeks.Bring the pot indoors in early March, place in sunny window, water and enjoy fresh chives.