Use as many of the fallen leaves as possible. Shredded, they make an excellent mulch for landscape beds. Contained and allowed to compost, they will produce a wonderful soil additive for next summer’s garden. If you’re down to just a few, mulch them on the lawn with the mower to increase the organic matter content of your soil.
Be sure to read Richard’s weekly Garden Q & A in the Saturday Home Section of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The final Virginia Home Grown of the season is upon us. Amy explores a test garden of re-blooming Iris flowers at the Goochland campus of Reynolds Community College. Peggy tours a private home and garden that was created entirely by using Japanese design elements. The Tip from Maymont explains how to collect seed from straight species or native plants in your garden.
Plant a cover crop in your vegetable garden. Once you finished with your garden for the fall, a light seeding of winter rye or crimson clover will help protect your soil through the winter. Cover crops not only prevent soil erosion, but they also make the garden an attractive part of the landscape until you’re ready to till it into the soil in late winter.
Be sure to read Richard’s weekly Garden Q & A in the Saturday Home Section of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Transition your houseplants to move back indoors for the winter. Hosing off the plant with a gentle spray of water can help clean the leaves and activate insects making them easier to see. Make the move less traumatic by bringing plants in at night and putting them back out during the mild days. In a week they’ll be ready to spend the winter in the warmth of your home.
Be sure to read Richard’s weekly Garden Q & A in the Saturday Home Section of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Daffodils, crocus and tulips are among the most popular bulbs to plant in early October. Since all three of these have different size bulbs, the rule of thumb is to plant bulbs three times deeper than the height of the bulb. Bulbs planted in early fall have time to set roots and get acclimated before going through their cold dormant period of winter.
Be sure to read Richard’s weekly Garden Q & A in the Saturday Home Section of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
