Dayton "Dirt" October 9, 2009

Now is the time to be thinking about next spring. I already have mentioned that spring flowering bulbs work great when planted in October and November but if you’re planning to landscape your home or form a new perennial or annual flower bed it is wise to get the beds ready in the fall even if you’re not going to plant next spring.

It’s still early enough to spray existing weeds with Roundup, especially perennial weeds that will go into overdrive at the first sign of spring weather. Also adding soil and/or soil amendments is a good idea in fall as sometimes the weather in early spring is not agreeable as it is sometimes far too wet.

Forming a landscape bed now and covering it with a thin layer of mulch will prevent any soil erosion or mud splash on any structure.

With the beds finished, planting can begin much earlier in spring than if beds needed to be prepared in spring.

Another advantage of the fall preparations for a new garden works especially well for a vegetable garden is that weeds are under control for the most part and early planting of cold tolerant crops could begin in mid March if the ground is not frozen.

I’m taking my own advice as we are planning a major planting for an annual flower bed to test new varieties of proven winner annuals.

Another project that we’ll be working on are getting some raised beds amended with sphagnum peat on the east side of the irrigation lake so we’ll be ready to plant blueberries next spring for a pick-your-own operation that will be ready in a couple of years.

Don’t forget to try sweet peet as a soil amendment as it improves the tilth of the ground and accelerates the activity of beneficial microbes in the soil to give you the results in gardening you expect.

Seriously thinking ahead in your garden planning will make your tasks easier and gardening for you will be much more enjoyable.

Tom