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Winter preparations in the gardenFinally--Autumn has delivered a break from the heat. The air is crisp, there is dew on the ground and the leaves are starting to turn. It is the best time of year to be a gardener. The spring and summer have been filled with hard work and diligence in hopes of a bountiful harvest and a beautiful landscape. Now there is time to relax and enjoy it all. Fall is indeed a great time to reap the rewards of Mother Nature, but there are some tasks to be done before the weather turns chilly and the frost settles in. --With the heat stress of summer past, trees can now be safely planted. It is a good idea to purchase trees now, because the fall color will be shining through. This will allow the consumer to see the degree of color that a tree will have in the future. Fall is the best time to plant container trees and pine trees. Broadleaf evergreens and bare root trees will perform better if planted in the springtime. Mulch can be used on the new planting, but be careful not to pile the mulch too close to the trunk. Keep at least 3 to 6 inches of space between the mulch and the trunk. --Cool season annuals like pansies, cabbage and kale are readily available. These can be put into flower beds or used to replace summer annuals in container plantings. It is a good idea to mix in some additional slow release fertilizer to make sure the plants have access to nutrients as they are getting established. --Perennials, like hostas and daylilies, can be cut back to the ground after the first killing frost. Other plants can be left if they provide winter interest. Ornamental grasses and cone flowers can make for an attractive display; and may also attract birds. --October is the time to dig up tender bulbs that will not survive the winter if left in the ground. Cannas, elephant ears, dahlias and caladiums should all be dug. Some people may have luck with these coming back each year when left in the ground, but it is going to be a gamble that depends on an individual's particular soil and location. To be on the safe side, it is a good idea to dig them up. The bulbs should be placed in a dark bag with peat moss or vermiculite. The material should be moist, but not damp. The bulbs could also be dusted with sulfur to help combat any fungus problems. Store the bag in a cool place where the temperature will stay cold, but not dip below freezing. --Plant springtime flowering bulbs like tulips, crocus, daffodils and hyacinths in late October. Generally these bulbs should be planted twice as deep as the bulb diameter. Place them in a location that has well drained soil and receives full sun. Try mixing them amongst your pansies for a rewarding show in the springtime--you'll be glad that you did. --Any leaves or twigs that have fallen from trees should be removed from the yard. These materials could harbor diseases and insects over winter that may cause problems next spring. --Garden hoses should be drained and put away for storage when the threat of frost arrives. Garden tools can be sharpened and cleaned with a bleach solution so they will be ready for use in the springtime. A mixture of 9 parts water to 1 part bleach will be sufficient to disinfect them. This solution can also be used on containers before they are stored away. With all of these tasks at hand don't forget to reflect back on the year. Make notes of what plants performed well and which ones created extra work. This will make for fewer headaches in the future and a more successful garden next year. For more information on winter preparations contact the OSU Master Gardeners at 405-713-1125. 11/3/08 Date: 10/28/08
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