Penn State Master Gardener, Warren Garden Club

The beautiful weather of September and October have made an autumn to remember. The calendar tells us it is time to put away the lawn furniture but we listen to the weather forecast and we give it another week. While some of my containers have been composted, others look wonderful, with geraniums in full bloom. I am still watering and fertilizing annuals like it was July.

However having lived in northwestern Pennsylvanian all my life I know this will come to an end and considering the lateness of the date, an abrupt end. The average daily temperature for this date is 59 degrees. But there are many things we need to do to get buttoned up for the winter while not missing a moment of this extraordinary weather.

My perennials are cut and composted. There are two thoughts on cutting perennials. One group insists the birds will love all those plants with nourishing seeds like sunflowers, rudbeckia or shasta daisies. This will necessitate cutting and clearing these perennials in the spring when there is much to do and all at once. Every gardener has to decide for himself which way to go. I like things tidied up. Remember, no fertilizer for perennials and if you find mildew on any of your plants make sure these go into the landfill and not your compost bed.

Weeding is an important fall gardening task. Every weed that is pulled now is a weed checked off your to do list for spring. Weeding loosens the soil which allows oxygen, fertilizer and water to be available to your plants. Weeds can ruin the shape of the perennials often growing right up through the perennial making them impossible to remove properly. These plants may need to be dug up, weeds removed and the plant divided and replanted. This chore should be accomplished after the plant blooms next season. Mark the plant with a dowel and make a note in your garden journal.

Our roses can use a top dressing of compost. This is not a fertilizer but a soil amendment. Don’t cut your roses back any more than necessary. I have three beautiful plants that are over 4 feet tall. If I don’t prune them a little those long canes will just whip back and forth in the winter wind. Prune any branches that are broken or branches that will rub each other over the winter. If your roses are not winter hardy check with your garden center for the many, sprays, wooden frames and special fabrics that will give protection against winter winds and make a nice appearance in the landscape.

Shrubs should not be pruned this late in the season. Pruning and fertilizing encourage shrubs and herbaceous plants to grow at a time when they should be going dormant for their season of rest. Go ahead and prune a broken branch or anything that will scratch a wall or window over the winter. Otherwise plan to do this task in August next year.

Bring in all your house plants. I gently pour a bucket of warm soapy water over my plants and down into the soil to kill any outside pests. About a week after the first soapy bath I do it again to kill the little spiders that have hatched. When the plants have drained well, bring them inside.

Don’t forget new spring bulbs. I like to plant these close to the base of my perennials. Next spring as these perennials grow and bloom they will cover the dying foliage of the spring bulbs. As you plant your bulbs make notes on which perennials need to be moved and which plants are crowding their neighbors and need to be removed or at least cut back. I mark these with a stake too and an entry in my garden journal to remind myself that they need attention.

A good rainy day project is to clean all your garden tools with a gentle household oil and remove any rust with sandpaper. I always take this time to clean and straighten my potting bench. Special containers you want to have gentle storage should be cleaned, wrapped in newspapers and stored in a safe place. Other containers need the soil and plants removed for the winter, cleaned well with a stiff brush and placed in a dry storage building.

Take note of your gardening supplies. Could you pick up fertilizer, new work gloves or bags of compost? Spring is such a busy time everything you can do now will make May and June more enjoyable.

Finally, take advantage of this weather. Don’t let a golden day go by unnoticed. Decorate your door step with a couple of mums, take your morning coffee or tea outside on the deck, observe sunset time on the porch or watch for the moon to rise. How about inviting friends or family for one last campfire. Don’t forget the smores.

Photos submitted to Times Observer
October fruit market.

Photos submitted to Times Observer
Autumn in October.