IN THE ORNAMENTAL GARDEN
Plant spring-flowering bulbs. Most bulbs can be planted until the ground freezes. Roots will grow and develop as long as soil temperatures are above 45 degrees, although at a slower rate than early fall-planted bulbs. Daffodils should be planted in early October since they need more time than other bulbs to establish roots. Dig the soil to a depth of 12 inches and apply a 5-10-5 fertilizer. Here are a few planting tips:
* To prepare, dig and loosen the entire bed to the proper depth.
* Press the bulbs into the soil and cover with soil.
* Large bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils, should be planted 8 inches deep; smaller bulbs should be planted around 3 to 4 inches deep. (Planting depth is measured from the bottom of the bulb.)
* Plant daffodils and tulips in groups of at least 12 or more bulbs; it’s best to plant one variety or color. Plant small bulbs such as crocus in groups of 50 or more.
* Water well after planting.
Get ready for frost. Even though we have recently experienced very warm fall weather, frost could be just around the corner. On average our first fall frost occurs around Oct. 15. First frosts usually occur when cool weather arrives from Canada with clear nights and light winds. Open grassy areas are most likely to be affected by frost. Areas under trees are protected because the trees keep heat from escaping. Plantings close to the foundation of your home often survive a first frost because of the heat from the house. To protect plants, cover them with blankets, newspaper, straw, sheets, tarps, boxes or plastic sheeting. Apply the covers later in the afternoon and remove them in the morning. Floating row covers, made of spun polyester, also can protect plants.
Continue to water your evergreens until the ground freezes, especially if the fall is dry. Cold winter winds will remove moisture from the foliage of pines, junipers, yews and spruces. Without available moisture, evergreens will develop browned, dead areas in the spring.
Dig up bulbs of cannas, elephant ears, dahlias and caladiums after a frost. Cut the stems back to about 4 to 6 inches and dig the plant up. Wash the soil off the bulbs and let them dry in the sun. Place the bulbs in a container and cover with peat moss or sawdust. Place the container in a cool room such as your basement. Check the bulbs every three or four weeks for any signs of rotting. Throw the rotten bulbs away. If you notice any shriveled bulbs, mist them with a little water. Pot the bulbs up in March and place in the garden after the last spring frost.
IN THE EDIBLE GARDEN
Visit a pumpkin farm. For a long-lasting pumpkin, choose one with a stem (pumpkins without a stem will not last long). But don’t carry it by the stem. Avoid pumpkins with holes, cuts or soft spots. These areas will rot. Light-colored pumpkins are easier to carve because the skin is not as hard as the darker orange ones. For a list of pumpkin farms, see the University of Illinois Extension Web site, www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/ pumpkins, or call 773-233-0476.
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Ronald C. Wolford is an extension educator in urban gardening for the University of Illinois Extension. To obtain the extension’s fact sheets, call 773-233-0476 or visit http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/urbanhort.html.
