It’s Monday and we are getting blessed with a very gentle rain; I just direct-seeded scallions, lettuce and radishes for a fall crop, and this is the perfect rain to get those seeds growing.
After planting, I spread a very light covering of dried grass over the rows. This will shade the soil enough to help keep the soil moist while the seed germinates and the shade will also help mediate the soil temperature, which if too warm inhibits germination dramatically. Also, hot soil produces “hot” radishes.
Late August and the month of September are excellent opportunities to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. Planting and dividing perennials now gives them time to get well-established before the onset of winter and will make a big difference in their winter survival.
As the air temperature moderates, the stress on plants is reduced, and as the soil temperature drops, plants get ready for their dormant season by storing nutrients in their root system. Waiting too long to get this work done impairs this opportunity.
The only drawback to purchasing trees and shrubs now may be the limited selection availability if you are very specific in what you are looking for. With nursery growers offering a huge selection of pot-grown trees and shrubs, the industry is different from 40 years ago when these plants were only available as bare root plants in the spring and consequently people thought spring was the only time to plant.
I noticed potted fall mums are available already. If you are looking to use these potted mums as color accents for your home, be sure to pick a plant whose flowers are just starting to show color for the longest display value. Plants that are in full bloom might last for a week, whereas one just starting to color up could last for a month, provided you don’t over- or under-water it. Most often, these mums are a huge plant in a relatively small pot, so checking the soil to be sure it stays moist but not wet is an absolute must for longevity of the flowers.
Do not use plant food in the water for blooming mums. The majority of these mums are a one-shot plant and are treated like an annual. They are not hardy for us, although depending on the winter and the planting site, they might survive, but no promises there. If you are looking for “hardy” mums, you are going to have to shop at a nursery rather than a “box” store.
The Mammouth series introduced by the University of Minnesota several years ago have been excellent for me. Colors available are red/bronze, pink, coral, lavender and white daisy forms and a yellow quill. The lavender, white and yellow are blooming in my yard right now, and they will give a great color display for about six weeks. The bronze will be blooming next week. They might be tricky to find, but worth the hunt.