It is hard to sew on a sunny October day, but not hard to work in the garden. Though I have cut a few pieces of fabric for my quilt, I hear my garden calling. There are bird feeders to fill for those winter residents and other winged ones passing through. And cherry trees that need a good looking after.
This is the time to spray copper fungicides to control blight and canker diseases to the branches of cherry and other soft stone fruit trees including apricot, peach and nectarine.
I must remind you to read ALL the information on the labels of products you plan to use.
The schedule for spraying apple trees to prevent insect damage is in the spring just after petal drop and just prior to harvesting. Unless you have moose or deer to clean up the fallen apples and prune your leaves, an important task to discourage apple loving insects is to remove decaying fruit and leaves from under the trees. It is a good idea to dispose of this debris as the eggs of insects may not be killed off in winter compost.
While most of my summer beauties have faded into my memory, I brought last Christmas’s poinsettia back in the house before the first hard frost.
Late last winter after the plant had become leggy and exceedingly ugly I put it outside to die.
This spring I noticed green buds struggling on the base of the stems so I cut it all back, re-potted it and gave it a spot near my sunny back door. All summer it grew lovely, thick, dark green leaves and when I brought it inside it was every bit as delightful as the ones that will be displayed for sale around Christmas time. The large green bracts are already beginning to change color and the plant is at least twice as big as it was last year. I will be more respectful of this plant in the future.
If you still have piles of leaves you worked hard to rake up and haven’t yet decided what to do with, here are some suggestions.
You can always add them to your compost pile to use as mulch in the spring.
Your garden pathways will have fewer weeds with layers of leaves.
You can work them into your garden beds.
You can use the bags of leaves to insulate your cold frames.
And grandchildren, what could be more fun on a crisp autumn day than jumping with them into a soft pile of gold and brown leaves?
Leaves can be more than just a nuisance!
It isn’t too late to plant spring bulbs and one of my all time favorites is Eremurus, foxtail lily. I have the pinkish variety, robustus, which grows to a whopping 10 feet tall. It likes rich, well drained soil in full sun and if possible, shelter from the wind. You need about three feet between plants and they bloom in June and July. It may take a few years to produce flowers but your patience is worth it. Damage from insects and disease is minimal yet honeybees and other pollinators love the blossoms.
For spring color in the house pot up some Narcissus bulbs in new potting soil. Keep the pots in an unheated space at temperatures of not more than 35 to 40 degrees until February. Then in your warm house they will be forced into bloom.
I am once again back to piecing my quilt and life together after the busy season of growing.
Margaret Swenson is a WSU Spokane County Master Gardener. Contact a Master Gardener by calling 509-477-2181.
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