Enough with the pumpkin stuff!

Don’t get me wrong, I love fall.  But as we turn the corner into September, there is still one third of summer left.  Everywhere you go all you see are fall and Halloween decorations.   Let’s not rush it.  I rebooted my yard this weekend for the last few weeks of summer.  New mulch, getting rid of dead leaves and blooms.  I also add some mums to fill in the bare areas.  This makes the yard look as pretty, as ever.

Morris Farm is right down the road from me.  Years ago, I went to buy new plants because mine had gotten leggy.  He told me to simple cut them back and they would return.  He was right!  I was really impressed because his teaching me this made him lose a sale.

I love his farm.  The staff is friendly and helpful.  He always has beautiful flowering and vegetable plants.  This time of year, he has the sweetest corn for sale as well as lots of vegetables.  Another thing that I do this time of year is divide perennial plants that have gotten too big.  It’s easy to do.  Just dig up the entire plant and split the root ball.  If you don’t have a place to plant it, check with a neighbor.  I’ve done this over the years and it’s always nice to see the plants flourishing in my neighbor’s yards.  You need to do this at least six weeks before the first frost.  You can also sow some wildflower seeds that will bloom in the spring.

This is also a great time to plant some vegetables in the areas of your garden that the summer crops are done.  Crops that will tolerate a light frost and keep growing even when temperatures drop include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, and kohlrabi), as well as carrots, parsnips, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, and turnips.

Let’s not rush fall.  Let’s continue to enjoy the summer and prepare our yards and gardens for next year.  Remember, after fall comes winter.  Take a deep breath, and don’t take out your fall decorations just yet…