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The pansies are coming!
The mornings are getting cool as the days are getting shorter. There is a familiar smell in the air; it is the scent of change and anticipation for the fall. It is funny how all gardeners have different reactions to the seasonal transformation. Some cry to see the tender plants they've carefully tended all summer get bit by the first hard frost. Others are just exhausted by the heat and doused with the perspiration of hard work. These are the gardeners who are secretly wishing for an early freeze, but, of course, will never mention it out loud. And then there is the kind of gardener that I am. The breed that is hungry for the change and can never really commit to the same color scheme all of the time in her flower beds. Usually about the first of August I start to say "should I do purple and orange pansies, or maybe all yellow this year?" And that is the way it goes until the beautiful pansies show up, all in a row at the garden centers and plant tents all over town. That is the great thing about gardening, things can always be changed. If a color scheme or a new variety of plant didn't perform like you wanted it too, just wait it out a few months and the time to re-plant will roll around before you know it. As these days of warmth are winding down, there are a few last decisions that need to be made in the landscape before the pansies are brought home to stay for the winter. To treat or not to treat? There may be a few plants in the garden that have picked up a fungus or a few insect friends through the season. A decision must be made whether to treat the problem or to let it go. If the pest is on a large deciduous tree; that is one that loses its leaves for the winter, it is best to just let the leaves drop, practice good sanitation by removing all of the fallen debris from the landscape, and begin to monitor the tree very early in the spring for the same problem occurring next year. If the problem is caught early, it makes more sense economically to treat at that time rather than late in the fall. If the pest is on a perennial plant, it could be beneficial to take care of the problem now. These plants are more dependent on the leaves than a mature tree would be. The plant will overwinter better if it is healthy towards the end of the growing season. If an annual plant is doing poorly, simply pull it out now. In case it is something that could infect other plants, this will keep the rest of your crop looking good for the duration. There are just a couple weeks left to get the yard in tip-top shape before winter. So check out the flower beds and look for any suspicious problems. If you need some help determining what to do with a specific plant, call the OSU Master Gardeners at 405-713-1125. The pansies will be here before you know it! Date: 9/11/07
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